Trump defamation trial halted for day due to sick juror and attorney
A Pause in the Trial: Juror and Lawyer’s Parents Fall Ill
A New York judge has temporarily halted the second defamation damages trial of former President Donald Trump after a juror and the parents of one of Trump’s lawyers became sick. The juror, on his way to court, experienced flu-like symptoms and promptly reported feeling unwell. Trump’s lawyer, Alina Habba, who had been exposed to COVID-19 during a visit from her parents, tested negative for the virus but still displayed some symptoms. Surprisingly, Habba arrived at court without wearing a mask.
Proceedings Suspended
Out of an abundance of caution, Judge Lewis Kaplan decided to suspend the trial. All members of the jury pool will be tested for COVID-19, and the trial is expected to resume on Tuesday morning.
Trump’s attorneys have requested that he be allowed to testify on Wednesday, just one day after the crucial New Hampshire Republican primary. However, Kaplan has yet to make a decision on this matter.
Trump’s Anticipated Testimony
It seemed that Trump was preparing to take the stand as early as Monday afternoon in the civil suit brought against him by former Elle columnist E. Jean Carroll. Carroll had accused the 2024 Republican front-runner of defaming her by dismissing her rape allegations as a “hoax” and “pure fiction.” Carroll was expected to conclude her case by midday Monday, with Trump listed as one of the defense’s witnesses.
On Monday morning, a small group of Carroll supporters gathered at the Manhattan federal courthouse. As Trump’s motorcade made its way to the back garage of the courthouse from Trump Tower, Carroll stopped and waved at her supporters.
Previous Case and Liability
Last year, Carroll filed a lawsuit against Trump, alleging that he had raped her in a dressing room of Bergdorf Goodman in the mid-1990s and subsequently defamed her by calling her claims a “con job” after leaving the White House. In that case, a jury found Trump liable for sexual assault and defamation, awarding Carroll $5 million. Trump is currently appealing the verdict. Although Trump had initially stated that he would testify in that case, he ultimately did not.
Judge Kaplan has already determined that Trump is liable for defaming Carroll. The current trial’s sole purpose for the nine-person New York jury is to determine the amount of money Trump will be required to pay Carroll for his comments made while he was in the White House, where he had access to a vast audience.
Contentious Courtroom Atmosphere
Last week, during Carroll’s testimony, Trump and his lawyer Habba clashed with Judge Kaplan. Carroll’s attorney complained that jurors could hear Trump’s running commentary, in which he referred to her claims as a “witch hunt” and a “con job.” Trump’s legal team requested Kaplan’s recusal, citing his alleged “general hostility” towards Trump and his lawyers. However, Kaplan denied the request.
Expert Testimony on Reputational Harm
During the trial, Northwestern sociology professor Ashlee Humphreys took the stand as an expert witness for the defense. Humphreys estimated that it would cost between $7.2 million and $12.1 million to repair the reputational harm caused by Trump’s statements about Carroll. She emphasized the severity of the damage, stating that approximately 25 million people had either heard or read Trump’s comments regarding Carroll. Humphreys had previously testified in Carroll’s first defamation case against Trump and also served as an expert in former Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani’s defamation case, where a jury awarded $148 million in damages to two Georgia election workers defamed by Giuliani.
How does the pause in the trial impact the wait for a resolution in Carroll’s case, and what opportunities does it provide for her legal team?
T against Trump, accusing him of raping her in a Bergdorf Goodman dressing room in the mid-1990s. Trump, however, denied the allegations and claimed that Carroll was lying to sell her book. In response, Carroll sued Trump for defamation, arguing that his statements harmed her reputation.
In October 2020, Judge Kaplan ruled that Trump was not acting within the scope of his official duties as President when he made the allegedly defamatory statements. Consequently, the Department of Justice could not intervene to defend Trump, and the case was allowed to proceed.
Impact of the Pause
The temporary halt in the trial due to the juror and lawyer’s parents falling ill has created a disruption to the proceedings. It not only allows for the necessary COVID-19 testing and precautions but also prolongs the trial and further delays the resolution of the case.
The potential delay in Trump’s anticipated testimony could have both positive and negative consequences. On one hand, Trump’s testimony would provide an opportunity for him to defend himself and present his side of the story. On the other hand, the delay grants him more time to campaign and focus on his political aspirations without the added pressure and distraction of the ongoing trial.
For Carroll and her supporters, the pause may be frustrating as it extends the wait for a resolution in her case. However, the additional time may also afford her legal team the opportunity to further strengthen their arguments and gather additional evidence to support her claims.
Future of the Trial
Once the COVID-19 testing is complete and all necessary precautions have been taken, the trial is expected to resume on Tuesday morning. The judge will then determine whether Trump will be allowed to testify on Wednesday, as requested by his attorneys.
Regardless of the outcome, the trial is significant not only for the parties involved but also in terms of setting a legal precedent regarding the liability of public figures in defamation cases. The verdict may have far-reaching implications for future cases involving accusations of defamation against prominent individuals, particularly those in positions of power.
As the trial proceeds, it will continue to draw attention and scrutiny from the media and the public alike. The outcome of the case and the potential impact on Trump’s political career will undoubtedly be closely watched and analyzed.
In the meantime, the pause in the trial serves as a reminder that even high-profile legal proceedings can be affected by unexpected events. The health and well-being of all involved parties should remain a priority, ensuring a fair and just trial while safeguarding against any potential risks in the midst of a global pandemic.
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