Trump lawyer Alina Habba slams judge over $83M E. Jean Carroll ruling
Trump Attorney Slams Judge for Denying Defense in Defamation Trial
Alina Habba, attorney for former President Donald Trump, fiercely criticized U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan for depriving her client of any defense in front of the New York jury tasked with deciding whether Trump defamed E. Jean Carroll over her rape allegations.
“We were stripped of every defense, every single defense before we walked in there, and I am proud to stand with President Trump because he showed up, he stood up, he took the stand, and he faced this judge,” Habba passionately stated.
A nine-person jury recently ruled that Trump must pay $65 million in punitive damages and $18.3 million in compensatory damages to Carroll for emotional harm and other damages resulting from his denial of her rape claim. Carroll accused Trump of raping her in a New York department store, which Trump dismissed as a “hoax” and Carroll as a “liar.”
This verdict comes after Trump was previously found liable for sexually assaulting Carroll in a separate defamation trial. While the jury did not find enough evidence to prove rape, they determined that Trump had sexually abused Carroll and defamed her after she came forward with her allegations.
The $83.3 million verdict from the recent trial adds to the $5 million Trump already owes Carroll from the previous trial, which included damages for sexual abuse, reputation repair, malice, and injury related to defamation.
Habba expressed her frustration with the justice system, accusing Judge Kaplan of denying some of her expert witnesses from testifying.
“I couldn’t prove that she didn’t bring in the dress, there was no DNA, there was no experts — my experts were denied, two of them — two of them — were denied to come in,” Habba revealed.
During the court proceedings, Kaplan threatened to send Habba to jail for interrupting him while discussing the timeline of Carroll’s accusation and Trump’s statement. Habba wanted to present tweets sent to Carroll before Trump’s statement as evidence that they were not influenced by his comments. However, Kaplan did not allow the tweets to be shown since they were not entered as evidence.
The judge also threatened to remove Trump from the court for being “disruptive” and making comments audible to the jurors, including calling the trial a “witch hunt” and a “con job.”
Trump provided a brief two-minute testimony, expressing his discontent with the proceedings and stating, “This is not America.” He repeatedly interrupted Habba during her testimony.
Kaplan had limited the scope of Trump’s testimony, allowing him to speak only about his deposition and his state of mind when making public claims about Carroll. The judge reminded Habba that Trump had already been found liable for sexual abuse and defamation in the previous trial, preventing him from denying those accusations on the stand.
However, Habba alleged that Kaplan “edited my questions, edited the response he was allowed to give” before Trump testified.
Following the verdict, Habba announced plans to immediately appeal, attributing the outcome to partisan politics.
“We are in a New York jury, and that is why we are seeing these witch hunts,” Habba asserted.
“The record that was made in there, and the behavior I saw in there … gave us the perfect record on appeal and even if I needed it, which I don’t,” Habba added.
How did Trump’s personal involvement during the trial impact the defense’s case?
Ected defenses and limiting the presentation of evidence in favor of her client. She argued that this denied Trump a fair chance to defend himself and undermined the principles of justice.
In her remarks, Habba highlighted the importance of Trump’s presence during the trial. She commended the former President for showing up, taking the stand, and facing the judge. It is clear that Habba believes Trump’s personal involvement was crucial in standing up against what she perceives as an unfair judgment.
The jury’s decision to award Carroll $65 million in punitive damages and $18.3 million in compensatory damages reflects the severity of the emotional harm and other damages she suffered as a result of Trump’s denial of her rape allegations. While the jury did not find enough evidence to support the rape claim, they did rule that Trump had sexually abused Carroll and defamed her after she came forward with her allegations.
This verdict follows a previous defamation trial in which Trump was found liable for sexually assaulting Carroll. The total amount owed by Trump, including the recent trial verdict, now stands at $88.3 million. The damages awarded in the previous trial included compensation for sexual abuse, reputation repair, malice, and injury related to defamation.
Habba’s frustration with the justice system is understandable given her belief in the importance of a fair defense. The defense attorney’s criticism of Judge Kaplan suggests that she believes his decisions had a significant impact on the outcome of the trial. It remains to be seen whether further legal action will be taken to contest the verdict or challenge the judge’s rulings.
The implications of this case go beyond the individuals involved. It raises important questions about the balance between the right to a fair defense and the rights of victims. While it is crucial to protect individuals from defamation, it is equally important to ensure that all parties have the opportunity to present their case and defend themselves adequately.
As the legal battle surrounding these allegations continues, it is essential that the justice system upholds the principles of fairness, impartiality, and transparency. The outcome of this trial highlights the need for a thorough examination of the laws and procedures governing defamation cases. It is a reminder that the search for justice requires constant evaluation and improvement to guarantee that all parties involved are treated fairly and justly.
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