The former American president actually has his hands full with the election campaign, but the Republican still found time to appear in person at the start of a second defamation trial against him in New York by the American author E. Jean Carroll. However, the suspect did not stay until the end. He left during his lunch break.
The meeting ended in the afternoon after opening arguments from both sides. Both Carrol and Trump initially spoke only through their lawyers. Trump’s lawyer Alina Habba accused Carroll in her opening statement of wanting to enrich herself with her client. The amount of attention the processes brought gave her career a new boost. Carroll’s attorney, Shawn Crowley, argued that the large amount was justified because his client lives in fear every day of the hate and threats she receives from Trump supporters.
Sexual violence in a luxury department store
A New York jury found evidence in May that Trump had assaulted, sexually abused and later defamed Carroll in a luxury department store in New York in 1996. The jury then awarded the writer a compensation of five million dollars (approximately 4.65 million euros). Trump himself never appeared at this first trial and his presence was not mandatory at the start of the second trial.
Author demands more than ten million dollars
Before the start of the second trial, a judge had ruled that further statements by Trump were defamatory. The jury now only has to decide on the amount of damages that the ex-president must pay to the woman. Carroll is asking for more than $10 million.
Court as a stage for election campaigns
Trump is considered the Republicans’ most promising candidate in November’s presidential election. However, he is currently dealing with the courts in many different cases. The 77-year-old often uses the court dates as a kind of election campaign event, which has already earned him criticism from several judges. It was initially unclear whether the ex-president would also want to be present during the further course of the trial. A statement from Carroll was scheduled for Wednesday.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
