Former President Donald Trump’s lawyers are scheduled to appear before a federal appeals panel Friday to argue: $5 million verdict The conviction of a man accused of sexually abusing and humiliating writer E. Jean Carroll is “unjust” and should be dismissed.
This case is one of two in which a federal jury unanimously sentenced Carroll to a total of $10 million. Over $88 million.
At trial in May 2023, the jury heard evidence related to Carroll’s claims that Trump sexually abused her in a department store dressing room in the mid-1990s and defamed her after she went public with the story in 2019.
A second trial, which resulted in an $83 million verdict in January, centered on additional defamation claims.
In an appeal of the first ruling that Trump’s attorneys are arguing Friday, they argued the judge made an “erroneous and prejudicial finding of evidence.” They said two of Carroll’s friends should not have been allowed to testify. The friends said Carroll confided in them in the 1990s, shortly after the alleged assault. Trump has denied any wrongdoing.
Trump’s lawyers also said Two other women Shouldn’t have been allowed to take the stand. Carroll’s attorney called Jessica Leeds and Natasha Stoynoff, who testified about Trump’s alleged abuse, and whose statements were similar to Carroll’s accusations.
Carroll’s attorneys called Trump’s appeal a “request for a retrial” with “fierce allegations of error and widespread complaints of unfairness.”
Attorneys for Republican presidential nominee Trump will have 10 minutes to argue their case before the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals, a three-judge panel comprised of Democrats appointed by former presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton.
Carol’s attorney will also be allowed to speak for 10 minutes.