In a high-profile defamation trial that has captured not only national but international attention, former President Donald Trump is embroiled in a legal battle against journalist E. Jean Carroll. The trial, unfolding in a New York City courtroom, has seen its share of contentious moments, with Trump’s legal team clashing with Judge Lewis Kaplan and the plaintiff’s counsel.
The case centers around Carroll’s allegations of sexual assault against Trump in the mid-1990s, claims that Trump has vehemently denied. The jury, selected on Tuesday, includes a diverse group of individuals, one of whom is a former employee of Trump’s daughter, Ivanka Trump. This selection process has not been without its controversies, as Trump’s attorney, Alina Habba, requested a mistrial after Carroll admitted to deleting threatening messages, a request that Judge Kaplan denied, wrote ABC News.
The trial has been marked by sharp exchanges between Habba and Kaplan, with the judge maintaining a firm stance against the defense’s requests and objections. In one instance, Habba sought an adjournment to allow Trump to attend his mother-in-law’s funeral, a request Kaplan denied, emphasizing the finality of his decisions in the courtroom.
Trump’s presence in the trial has been a point of contention, with his behavior in the courtroom drawing criticism from Carroll’s attorney. Kaplan warned Trump that he could be removed from the courtroom if found disruptive, following complaints about his comments during testimony.
The trial is expected to last three to five days, with jurors tasked with deciding the amount of damages Trump may have to pay Carroll for his remarks. The case has already seen a previous verdict in May, where a New York City jury found Trump liable for sexual abuse and defamation against Carroll. The current trial seeks additional damages, with Carroll’s attorneys requesting $10 million.
