Defamation Trial Against Donald Trump Postponed Over Juror Illness
NEW YORK (NEWSnet/AP) — A juror's illness has resulted in a delay in a defamation trial over Donald Trump’s comments about E. Jean Carroll, the writer who claims he sexually assaulted her in the 1990s.
It's not yet clear when the trial will resume.
[Earlier Report: Trump Might Testify in Defamation Trial]
The court is awaiting COVID-19 tests on all the jurors. One of Trump's lawyers also hasn't been feeling well but tested negative, and his team wants to postpone the Republican presidential front-runner's next appearance until after Tuesday's New Hampshire primary.
There was no indication that Trump himself wasn't feeling well, and he didn't wear a mask in court as he watched Monday's brief proceeding.
U.S. District Judge Lewis A. Kaplan announced that one of nine jurors was told to go home and take a coronavirus test after he reported feeling hot and nauseous.
Trump attorney Alina Habba also reported that at least one of her parents has COVID-19 and that she ran a fever in the last two days after having dinner with them several days ago. She said that her law partner, Michael Madaio, also attended the dinner, although both tested negative for the virus Monday.
Habba then said she didn't see a problem “with a short delay for a day” so everyone can get tested. Neither attorney wore a mask in court.
Habba asked whether Trump's testimony could be delayed until Wednesday because of the New Hampshire primary, while Carroll's lawyer pressed for the trial to resume Tuesday, if possible.
The judge did not immediately rule on Habba's request but told her: “Circumstances may result in you getting what you ask for, and maybe not.”
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