Donald Trump’s plans to testify in E. Jean Carroll’s civil defamation case have been thrown into doubt as the trial was postponed due to a sick juror and a sick parent of one of Trump’s lawyers. The presiding judge, U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan, sent one juror home to get tested for COVID-19 after reporting feeling unwell. Additionally, Trump’s lawyer, Alina Habba, developed a fever after dining with her parents, one of whom has contracted COVID-19. Although Habba and her co-counsel tested negative for the virus, the trial had to be postponed. The trial revolves around Carroll’s claim that Trump raped her in the mid-1990s in a New York City department store dressing room.
In a previous trial, a different jury ordered Trump to pay Carroll $5 million in damages over a similar denial. Judge Kaplan ruled that the first trial established Trump’s defamation and sexual abuse of Carroll. The second trial will determine the amount of money Trump should pay Carroll, who is seeking at least $10 million.
Trump has consistently denied Carroll’s allegations, accusing her of fabricating the encounter for the sake of book sales. He is currently appealing the $5 million verdict from the first trial. Trump’s lawyer, Habba, requested that he be allowed to testify on Wednesday, as he plans to be in New Hampshire on Tuesday for the state’s Republican presidential primary.
Carroll’s lawyer, Roberta Kaplan, opposed the request, stating that her case was close to completion and should finish the following day. Ultimately, Judge Kaplan will decide whether Trump can testify, acknowledging that circumstances may or may not permit it. The judge also denied Trump’s request for a mistrial based on Carroll’s testimony about destroying emailed death threats she received after accusing Trump of rape.
Last week, Trump was warned by Judge Kaplan that he might be ejected for disruptive behavior in the courtroom, following allegations that Trump loudly called the trial a witch hunt and a con job. Trump responded by saying, I would love it. The trial will continue once the sick juror and lawyer’s parent have recovered and a new trial date is set.
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