E. Jean Carroll will back on the witness stand On Thursday, he will testify in a damages trial as part of the defamation case against Donald Trump, but the former president will not be present this time.
Who was Trump? recommended by the judge According to Carroll’s statement on Wednesday, he will attend his mother-in-law’s funeral instead. Amalia Knavesin Florida.
Cross-examination of Carroll by Trump attorney Alina Habba will continue Thursday. Trump it was beforelI found lis able in 2019 for defaming Carroll after accusing him of sexual abuse.
“I’m here because Donald Trump attacked me and when I wrote about it, he lied and damaged my reputation,” Carroll, 80, told jurors Wednesday.
Some of his remarks clearly angered Trump, who angrily complained to his lawyer in front of the jury. “Mr. Trump, I hope I don’t have to think about impeaching you. I understand you’re very anxious for me to do that,” U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan told him outside the jury’s presence.
“I would love to. I would love it,” Trump replied.
“I know you will because you can’t control yourself in this situation,” Kaplan said.
The civil case is Carroll’s second against Trump. Last year, a jury found against the 77-year-old Trump. is responsible for sexual abuse Carroll for defaming her in 1996 at a Manhattan department store and after she left the White House, calling her claims “hoaxes.” Carroll Award 5 million dollarsTrump appealed the verdict.
The current situation It focuses on similar comments he made about Trump when he was still president in 2019 and he went public with his accusations. He also seeks to hold her accountable for comments he made about her after the trial and recently like this week.
Trump was not required to attend either trial. He did not go to the first one, which Kaplan also presided over, after initially saying he intended to testify. Trump attended the first two days of the current trial, which began the day after his victory Iowa caucusesand said that he will take a stand for his own defense.
Habba had filed a plea to the judge on Friday to adjourn the trial a week to allow Trump to attend the funeral of his wife, Melania’s mother, Knaves. Habba said Trump plans to travel to Florida with his family before Wednesday’s service.
Kaplan, who has rejected several other attempts by Trump to delay the trial, rejected the request.
“On January 12, 2024, three days after the announcement of the death of Mrs. Trump’s mother and one day before the defendant’s request, her attorney notified the Court by email that Mr. Trump would appear in court,” Kaplan said. wrote in arhowl noted over the weekend that “the trial date for this case was set seven months ago.”
“A postponement will disrupt and inconvenience prospective jurors, counsel, court staff and security, and likely cause other logistical and scheduling problems,” he said, adding that “the defendant will be unable to attend the funeral, the trial, or both.” is free”, but would not delay the process. He said that if the trial concludes on Thursday, he will allow Trump to testify on Monday. Court is not in session on Friday.
Kaplan also noted that Trump attended a campaign rally in New Hampshire on Wednesday night, when his lawyer said he would be in Florida.
Habba called the sentence “totally unfair” in court on Tuesday. “Once again, Your Honor, we request that you grant a brief one-day adjournment so that my client can be here,” he said.
“This is the first time you’ve done that,” Kaplan replied. “You asked me to take a break for a week. I denied it.”
Habba requested again on Wednesday.
“I’m asking your honor to show my client the kindness he deserves to be with his family tomorrow and not have to miss the trial he has a right to be here. The jury is watching. It’s biased.” he said.
Kaplan shot him again. “According to the Supreme Court of the United States, the right he has is the right to be present either in person or by counsel, and nothing prevents him. The petition is denied,” he said.