On Thursday, former US president Donald Trump testified for the primary time in a defamation trial introduced by E Jean Carroll, who accuses him of sexually assaulting her within the Nineties.
Trump’s testimony was temporary and restricted by Decide Lewis Kaplan, who dominated that the jury’s verdict within the first trial – which awarded Carroll $5m in damages – could be accepted as truth on this trial.
The defence lawyer, Alina Habba, requested Trump if he stood by his deposition, to which he stated “100%, sure”. She then tried to ask him if he denied the allegation, however was stopped by the decide. Habba additionally requested Trump if he ever instructed anybody to harm Carroll, and he stated “No, I simply needed to defend myself, my household and, frankly, the presidency.”
The plaintiff’s lawyer, Roberta Kaplan, requested Trump if he was conscious of the earlier trial and if he attended it, and he stated sure to each questions. Habba then requested him if he had a lawyer on the final trial, and he stated sure. She was interrupted by an objection when she requested him if he adopted his lawyer’s recommendation.
The previous president was additionally admonished by the decide for speaking loudly and interrupting the proceedings, saying “I by no means met this girl.”
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The final witness for the plaintiff was Roberta Myers, a former editor of Elle journal, the place Carroll labored as a columnist. Myers praised Carroll as a “truth-teller” and a preferred author, who acquired a increase for her work. She additionally stated she met Trump as soon as on an episode of Superstar Apprentice, the place she was an editor of Elle. She denied having an in depth private relationship with Carroll.
Trump errors accuser for ex-wife
The trial resumed with the testimony of Lisa Myers, a former NBC journalist. Myers stated Carroll by no means advised her about her private life or the alleged assault by Trump.
Trump’s lawyer, Alina Habba, tried to discredit Myers by asking her about her political beliefs. She additionally questioned Trump about his wealth and his denial of the rape in a video deposition.
Habba inquired, “You weren’t a Trump supporter in 2016, have been you?” She continued, “Or in 2020?” She added anxiously, “You don’t plan on voting for him in 2024, do you?”
Probably the most surprising moments of the trial was when Trump confused Carroll along with his ex-wife, Marla Maples, in a photograph that confirmed them with their spouses at a celebration.
“Sooner or later in the course of the course of, I noticed it. I suppose that’s her husband, John Johnson, who was an anchor for NBC. Good man, I believed. I imply, I don’t know him, however I believed he was fairly good at what he did. I don’t even know the lady. I don’t know who – it’s Marla.”
Carroll’s lawyer, Roberta Kaplan, identified Trump’s mistake, however he nonetheless had hassle recognizing Carroll.
ALSO READ| Who’s E Jean Carroll? Why did she sue Donald Trump?
Carroll’s workforce rested their case after displaying the photograph and different proof to the jury.
Habba then referred to as Carol Martin, a former information anchor and a good friend of Carroll, as a protection witness. Martin had testified for Carroll within the first trial, the place she stated Carroll advised her concerning the rape in her kitchen. Martin additionally stated she suggested Carroll to not pursue the matter as a result of Trump had highly effective legal professionals and would “bury her”.
Martin expressed remorse for giving that recommendation, however Habba hoped to make use of her testimony to forged doubt on Carroll’s credibility.
