On Monday, a New York federal judge denied former President Donald Trump’s request for a mistrial in the lawsuit filed by writer E. Jean Carroll. Carroll accused Trump of sexually assaulting her in a Manhattan department store during the 1990s. The judge’s decision marks a significant development in the ongoing legal proceedings surrounding Carroll’s allegations against Trump.
Just before the commencement of the second day of cross-examination in E. Jean Carroll’s case, former President Donald Trump’s attorney, Joe Tacopina, lodged an 18-page complaint against U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan. Tacopina accused Judge Kaplan of consistently issuing “pervasive unfair and prejudicial rulings” that negatively impacted his client’s position in the case. This complaint adds a new layer of contention to the ongoing legal proceedings surrounding Carroll’s allegations against Trump.
In his request to Judge Kaplan, attorney Tacopina sought the correction of any instances in which the court had allegedly mischaracterized the facts of the case to the jury. Tacopina also requested that Trump’s legal team be granted more flexibility in cross-examining Carroll, all while urging the judge to refrain from declaring a mistrial.
A court official confirmed on Monday morning that Judge Kaplan rejected the request just moments before the jury was summoned to hear Carroll’s testimony. At the time, Carroll’s attorneys had not yet provided a response to the media’s request for comment. The development underscores the evolving nature of the legal proceedings and the parties involved as they navigate through the case.
BREAKING: Judge Kaplan, the presiding judge in the E. Jean Carroll case, has just denied a motion for mistrial, without comment, by Trump's attorney Joe Tacopina.
Tacopina had accused U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan of being biased and requested a mistrial. The allegations… pic.twitter.com/vt1I1qWrVn
— Brian Krassenstein (@krassenstein) May 1, 2023
During the civil trial held last week in a federal court in lower Manhattan, Carroll made allegations that, following her decision to come forward with her charges in 2019, former President Donald Trump lied, causing significant damage to her reputation. Carroll said she is now trying to “get her life back,” emphasizing the personal toll the events have taken on her.
Throughout the trial, former President Donald Trump consistently denied Carroll’s allegations, with his most recent refutations appearing in posts shared on his Truth Social media platform. Trump has maintained his stance of innocence and continues to contest Carroll’s claims.
Despite his legal challenges, Trump continues to enjoy unwavering loyalty from his supporters. Recent polls indicate that he remains a frontrunner among potential Republican candidates for the upcoming 2024 presidential election.
