E. Jean Carroll, renowned author and journalist, is set to testify once again in her defamation case against former President Donald Trump. This time, however, Trump will be absent from the courtroom as he attends the funeral of his mother-in-law, Amalija Knavs, in Florida.
Cross-examination and Emotional Testimony
Carroll will face further cross-examination by Trump’s attorney, Alina Habba, during the trial. Trump has been previously found liable for defaming Carroll after she accused him of sexual abuse in 2019. In her powerful testimony before the jury, Carroll, now 80 years old, expressed her determination to seek justice. She stated, “I am here because Donald Trump assaulted me, and when I wrote about it he lied and he shattered my reputation.”
Trump’s animated reactions during Carroll’s testimony did not escape the judge’s notice. U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan warned Trump about his behavior, stating, “Mr. Trump, I hope I don’t have to consider excluding you from the trial. I understand you are very eager for me to do that.” To which Trump replied, “I would love it. I would love it.”
A Second Trial, Seeking Accountability
This marks Carroll’s second trial against Trump. In the first trial, a jury found Trump liable for sexually abusing Carroll in 1996 and for defaming her by dismissing her claims as a “hoax.” The jury awarded Carroll $5 million in damages, a verdict that Trump is currently appealing. The ongoing trial focuses on similar comments made by Trump in 2019, both during and after the previous trial.
It is important to note that Trump’s presence at the trial is not mandatory. He did not attend the first trial, despite initially expressing his intention to testify. During the current trial, which commenced shortly after his victory in the Iowa caucuses, Trump attended the first two days but will not appear for the remainder. However, he has stated his intention to take the stand in his own defense.
Funeral Request Denied
Trump’s attorney, Habba, requested a one-week delay in the trial to allow Trump to attend his mother-in-law’s funeral. The judge, who had rejected previous delay requests, denied this request as well. In a ruling, Judge Kaplan stated that the trial date had been set seven months prior, and further postponement would cause logistical and scheduling issues. However, he did offer Trump the opportunity to testify on Monday if the trial concludes on Thursday.
Seeking Fairness
Habba argued that denying Trump a brief adjournment to be with his family was unfair and could prejudice the jury. However, the judge firmly stood by his decision, emphasizing that Trump had the right to be present at the trial either in person or through his legal counsel. With the trial proceeding as planned, Carroll remains steadfast in her pursuit of justice.
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