Manhattan DA Brag’s Predecessor Would Be “Surprised” if Trump Receives Jail Time

Cyrus Vance Jr., a Democrat and the former Manhattan District Attorney says he does not believe Trump will be sentenced to any jail time. Vance Jr. retired in 2022, and was replaced by Alvin Bragg, who proceeded to prosecute Trump for falsifying business records.

“Well, I’m not going to answer that question because that’s really just for Mr. Bragg to decide,” Vance said to Peter Alexander. “If you ask me, ‘do I think the court will impose jail in this case?’ As I said to you, I think yesterday, I think not. But ultimately, that’s Judge [Juan] Merchan’s decision.

“The president has made this a little more complicated by having been found in contempt ten times during the court, but I think that with the proximity of the Republican convention four days after his sentencing, and then if he is the candidate for the Republican Party the proximity of the election, I would be surprised that he would be sentenced to any imprisonment.”

Vance then continued by saying: “Now, that said, the court could adjourn sentencing until after the general election and then essentially decide then.”

Regarding Trump’s expected appeal, Vance said there would be strong appeals, and “there are going to be issues that will be carefully considered by the appellate courts.”

During his time own time as DA, Vance investigated Trump but did not pursue prosecution.

“Well, we did investigate the former president on a range of issues. I ultimately believed that our investigation was best focused on financial crimes,” Vance said.

“I’m confident that we made the right choice for us at that time in pursuing the financial crimes investigation. As you know, it resulted in convictions.”

The former district attorney defended the judge in this case, Judge Merchan, whom Trump and his allies have attacked.

“I think he is honest as the day is long,” Vance said of Merchan. “He was careful. He was caring. And I think he handled a very difficult trial with a neutral hand and gave the president every benefit of the doubt that he was entitled to under the law.”

{Matzav.com}