A federal judge in the United States has set August 14 as the initial trial date for former President Donald Trump’s classified documents case – an early schedule that will likely be delayed by pre-trial arguments.
US District Judge Aileen Cannon announced the date on Tuesday, a week after Trump was formally presented with 37 charges relating to mishandling secret government files. The former president, who is seeking the White House again in 2024, pleaded not guilty.
“This case is hereby set for a Criminal Jury Trial during the two-week period commencing August 14, 2023, or as soon thereafter as the case may be called,” Cannon wrote in a court order.
Arguments about what evidence can be admitted in trial usually take months to settle. Further complicating Trump’s prosecution is the need to set up a system to deal with classified documents at the heart of the case that cannot be seen by jurors and lawyers.
Still, Cannon’s tentative date signals intent to move forward with the case quickly.
Special Counsel Jack Smith, who is leading the prosecution as well as other federal investigations in Trump’s possible misconduct, had promised to pursue a “speedy trial”.
“It’s very important for me to note that the defendants in this case must be presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law,” the special counsel told reporters on June 9.
Source: Aljazeera.com
