The sex assault defamation trial of former President Donald Trump, taking place in New York, experienced a delay on Monday due to a sick juror. The trial, which aims to determine the amount of compensation Trump must pay to E. Jean Carroll for defaming her, was postponed until Tuesday after the juror reported feeling feverish. Let’s delve into the details surrounding the delay and Alina Habba’s request for Trump’s testimony.
Trump’s attorney, Alina Habba, informed Judge Lewis Kaplan that she was unwell, experiencing feverish symptoms, and that one of her parents had tested positive for COVID-19. Despite testing negative for the virus, both Habba and her co-counsel, Michael Madaio, requested a postponement of the trial. Consequently, Kaplan announced the delay, leaving Trump and Carroll, the plaintiff in the civil case, waiting in court.
Habba’s Request for Trump’s Testimony
During the delay, Habba expressed her desire to call Trump as a witness on Wednesday, considering that Tuesday was the New Hampshire primary. Habba’s intention to schedule Trump’s testimony aligns with his status as the Republican frontrunner in the presidential primary and the overall GOP nomination contest. With only Nikki Haley remaining as a serious contender after Ron DeSantis dropped out, Habba’s request aimed to find a suitable time when Trump’s appearance would yield maximum attention.
Carroll’s lawyer, Robert Kaplan (unrelated to the judge overseeing the trial), voiced his objection to further postponing the trial beyond Tuesday. He emphasized the importance of concluding the trial promptly, stating, “We would like to get this trial over… I think we should finish tomorrow, Judge Kaplan.” However, Judge Kaplan refrained from making an immediate decision, hinting that circumstances might grant the parties either an extension or an expedited conclusion.
The Purpose of the Trial
The ongoing trial primarily revolves around establishing the amount of compensation Trump must provide Carroll after defaming her. The defamation relates to Carroll’s accusation that Trump raped her in a New York department store during the mid-1990s. Notably, Trump made the defamatory statements in 2019 when he was still serving as the President of the United States. Last year, a separate jury within the same court found Trump liable for sexually abusing Carroll and ordered him to pay $5 million in damages. While Trump appeals this verdict, the current trial seeks to determine the additional amount he must pay in this particular case.
Judge Kaplan’s Ruling and the Role of the Second Jury
Before the commencement of the current trial, Judge Kaplan made a ruling based on the previous jury’s verdict. Since the first trial had already established Trump’s defamation of Carroll, there was no need to relitigate that specific question during this trial. Consequently, the second jury’s task primarily involves deciding the appropriate damages to be awarded to Carroll. Her lawyers are pursuing a minimum of $10 million from Trump in this particular case.
The delay and Habba’s request for Trump’s testimony have reshaped the narrative of the sex assault defamation trial. As the trial resumes on Tuesday, the jury will continue their deliberations to determine the amount of compensation Trump must pay to Carroll. The outcome of this trial holds significant implications for both parties involved, as they eagerly await the resolution of their legal battle.
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