U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan ruled on Wednesday that a trial is necessary to determine the amount of damages former President Donald Trump must pay in the defamation lawsuit filed against him by writer E. Jean Carroll. The judge’s ruling comes as a partial victory for Carroll, who accused Trump of sexually assaulting her years ago.
Judge Kaplan determined that Trump acted with actual malice when he made false statements about Carroll in June 2019.
The jury’s previous verdict in Carroll’s other lawsuit against Trump, which found him liable for the assault and defamation, is considered controlling in this case. The trial is scheduled to begin on January 15, 2024, in New York City, and will solely focus on determining the damages owed to Carroll.
Trump’s legal spokesperson, Alina Habba, expressed confidence that the verdict in Carroll’s second lawsuit will be overturned on appeal, rendering the current decision moot.
Trump is facing multiple trials in the coming months, including a civil fraud trial in October 2022, criminal trials in Washington, D.C., and New York in March, and a trial in Florida in May. He also faces a criminal trial in Georgia, although a date has not yet been set.
Author: Ryan Scott
Just a guy
