A gut punch for most defendants, Donald Trump turned his criminal conviction into a rallying cry. His supporters put "I'm Voting for the Felon" on T-shirts, hats and lawn signs.
"The real verdict is going to be Nov. 5 by the people," Trump proclaimed after his conviction in New York last spring on 34 counts of falsifying business records.
Now, just a week after Trump's resounding election victory, a Manhattan judge is poised to decide whether to uphold the hush money verdict or dismiss it because of a U.S. Supreme Court decision in July that gave presidents broad immunity from criminal prosecution.
Judge Juan M. Merchan has said he will issue a written opinion Tuesday on Trump's request to toss his conviction and either order a new trial or dismiss the indictment entirely.
Merchan had been expected to rule in September, but put it off "to avoid any appearance" he was trying to sway the election. His decision could be on ice again if Trump takes other steps to delay or end the case.
