A New York federal trial to decide how much Donald Trump owes E. Jean Carroll for denying that he sexually assaulted her in a Bergdorf Goodman fitting room was postponed Monday because of an ill juror — and the former president’s lawyer exposed to COVID.
Minutes after Trump arrived at a Lower Manhattan courthouse — where he was expected to testify later that day — US District Judge Lewis Kaplan sent all parties in the case home.
The juror in “seat No. 3” reported on his way to court that he felt hot and nauseous, and was advised to stay away and test himself for COVID, the judge said.
Trump’s personal lawyer, Alina Habba, also reported having a fever in the “past 48 hours” and had dinner with her parents – who recently tested positive for COVID – three days ago.
Habba said he tested negative for the coronavirus Monday morning. He did not wear a mask as he stood in court next to Trump, 77, who wore a dark blue suit, light blue tie and white shirt during the brief proceedings.
E. Jean Carroll is suing Gregory P. Mango for over $10 million in damages
Trump will not be in court Tuesday because he has to be in New Hampshire for the 2024 GOP presidential primary, Habba said.
He asked the judge to delay the case until Wednesday, a request opposed by Carroll’s attorney Roberta Kaplan (no relation to the judge), who said, “We would very much like to proceed.”
The judge said he would rule on the request later, as the COVID issue may result in further delays.
“Circumstances may cause you to get what you ask for, and it may not,” he told Habba.
Court officials later said the trial would resume Wednesday morning. No specific reason was given for the delay.
Trump has said he plans to testify in the case. AFP via Getty Images
Attorneys for the “Ask E. Jean” advice columnist are scheduled to settle their case shortly after the trial resumes.
The real estate tycoon could then testify as part of his defense case — although Judge Kaplan has ruled that he will not be allowed to deny sexually assaulting Carroll in front of a jury.
The former president was ordered at an earlier hearing to pay Carroll $5 million after a separate New York jury found him liable for sexually assaulting her at a department store in 1996, and then defaming her by writing online in 2022 that her allegations were “a work of fraud complete.”
Kaplan, who presided over the first trial as well, has ruled in the current case that Trump repeatedly defamed Carroll in 2019.
The former president has already been ordered to pay Carroll $5 million after a jury found him liable for sexual abuse and defamation. Reuters
A nine-person jury is now tasked only with deciding how much he should pay her. His camp is seeking more than $10 million in damages.
Monday marked the third day the former president attended the case in Manhattan federal court.
He was absent on Thursday to attend his mother-in-law’s funeral.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
