NEW YORK: A jury awarded $5 million to advice writer E. Jean Carroll after finding Donald Trump guilty of sexually abusing her in 1996. This verdict might follow the former president as he runs for re-election.
The jury reached a divided decision, rejecting Carroll's allegation of being raped and holding Trump accountable for less severe sexual misconduct. The verdict increases Trump's legal problems and provides Carroll with reassurance after years of Trump mocking and denying her claims.
She nodded as the verdict was announced in a New York City federal courtroom only three hours after deliberations had begun, then hugged supporters and smiled through tears. As the courtroom cleared, Carroll could be heard laughing and crying.
Additionally, the jury determined that Trump was accountable for Carroll's claims of defamation. When the verdict was read at the civil trial, Trump was not there. Trump immediately lashed out on his social media site, claiming that he does not know Carroll and referring to the verdict as “a disgrace” and “a continuation of the greatest witch hunt of all time.” He promised to appeal.
Trump’s lawyer, Joseph Tacopina, shook hands with Carroll and hugged her lawyer, Roberta Kaplan, after the verdict was announced. Outside the courthouse, he told reporters the jury’s rejection of the rape claim while finding Trump responsible for sexual abuse was “perplexing” and “strange.”
“Part of me was obviously very happy that Donald Trump was not branded a rapist,” he said. He defended Trump’s absence, citing the trial’s “circus atmosphere.” He said having Trump there “would be more of a circus.” Tacopina added: “What more can you say other than ‘I didn’t do it’?”
In a written statement, Kaplan said the verdict proved nobody is above the law, “not even the president of the United States.”