Jury Decision from Last Year Confirmed
A federal appeals court has upheld a previous jury verdict that mandates President-elect Donald Trump to pay $5 million to writer E. Jean Carroll for sexual abuse and defamation. This decision reaffirms the outcome of a nine-day civil trial held in New York last year, where it was determined that Trump had sexually abused Carroll in a Manhattan department store back in 1996.
Details of the Verdict
The jury awarded Carroll $2 million for the sexual abuse she endured and an additional $3 million for defamation. Trump, who has consistently denied these allegations, challenged the verdict, arguing that allowing testimony from two additional women, who claimed similar assaults by Trump, was prejudicial. However, the three-judge panel of the Second US Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed these objections.
Court’s Reasoning
“The evidence, including testimony from other accusers, was appropriately considered,” the court stated, concluding that Trump failed to demonstrate any significant errors in the district court’s rulings that could justify a new trial.
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Parallel Case and Legal Challenges
In a related development, another jury awarded Carroll $83 million in a separate lawsuit against Trump, which he is also appealing. Despite these legal battles, two federal cases initiated by special counsel Jack Smith were dismissed following Trump’s election victory on November 5, adhering to a Justice Department policy against prosecuting sitting presidents. These cases involved allegations of mishandling classified documents and attempts to subvert the 2020 election results.
Recent Criminal Conviction
Moreover, Trump faces legal repercussions from a criminal conviction in May, where he was found guilty on 34 counts of falsifying business records related to a hush money payment to Stormy Daniels. Although Judge Juan Merchan rejected Trump’s motion to overturn the conviction, sentencing has been indefinitely postponed.
This series of legal outcomes underscores the ongoing legal scrutiny surrounding Trump as he prepares to reassume the presidency.
