A federal appeals court has upheld the jury's verdict in the case of writer E. Jean Carroll against former President Donald Trump. The court denied Trump's request for a new trial after challenging the $5 million civil verdict. Trump alleged that the trial judge made errors, including allowing testimony from two other women who claimed sexual assault by Trump.
The appeals court determined that the trial judge did not abuse his discretion in ruling on the evidence presented. Despite any potential errors, the court stated that given the strength of Carroll's case, Trump's rights were not affected enough to warrant a new trial.
Carroll's attorney, Roberta Kaplan, expressed gratitude for the court's decision. Carroll had accused Trump of sexually abusing her in a department store and later defaming her by denying the abuse and suggesting she fabricated the story for book sales.
In a separate case, a jury awarded Carroll $83.3 million for defamation after Trump denied her allegations. Trump has also appealed this verdict.
While the jury found Trump liable for battery based on Carroll's sexual abuse claims, they did not find sufficient evidence to support her allegation of rape. Carroll filed the lawsuit under the New York State Adult Survivors Act, which allows for sexual assault allegations with expired statutes of limitation to be heard.
Trump's spokesperson indicated that further appeals are forthcoming, citing the need to end what they referred to as political weaponization of the justice system. They emphasized the desire to unite the country under Trump's leadership.
