Trump in court as lawyers fight to overturn verdict in E. Jean Carroll sex abuse suit

Donald Trump Observes Courtroom Battle Over Sexual Abuse and Defamation Verdict

NEW YORK (AP) — In a shift from the campaign trail, former President Donald Trump quietly observed a courtroom battle on Friday as his lawyer fought to overturn a verdict that found him liable for sexual abuse and defamation. The case holds significant implications for Trump, both politically and financially.

Trump’s Presence in Court

Trump and his accuser, writer E. Jean Carroll, sat at tables approximately 15 feet apart in a Manhattan federal appeals court. Trump did not acknowledge or look at Carroll as he passed by her, but occasionally shook his head during the proceedings. Carroll’s attorney claimed that Trump sexually attacked her, while Trump’s lawyer argued that the trial was marred by improper evidence.

The Arguments

Trump’s attorney, D. John Sauer, contended that the case was based on implausible allegations supported by inflammatory and inadmissible evidence. He pointed to the infamous “Access Hollywood” tape from 2005, in which Trump boasted about grabbing women’s genitals. Sauer argued that the tape should not have been shown to the jury.

Carroll’s lawyer, Roberta Kaplan, countered that the evidence in question was proper and that there was ample proof of Trump’s attack on Carroll in a luxury department store dressing room decades ago. She argued that the “Access Hollywood” tape could be seen as a confession.

Trump’s Response

After the court session, Trump left in a motorcade and delivered a lengthy statement at Trump Tower, where he reiterated his belief that Carroll and other women accusing him of sexual assault were fabricating their stories. Trump claimed that Carroll’s allegations were made up to promote her book, which she first spoke about publicly in 2019.

Carroll declined to comment on the proceedings.

Implications and Future Proceedings

The appeals court panel, following the usual timeline, is expected to take weeks or even months to reach a decision. The civil case carries political and financial consequences for Trump. Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, has criticized Trump for being found liable for sexual abuse. Additionally, Trump was previously ordered to pay $83.3 million in damages to Carroll for defamatory comments he made about her while he was president.

Carroll’s testimony during both trials highlighted the impact of Trump’s public comments on her life and the subsequent death threats she received. The appeals court will also hear the appeal of the second trial’s outcome at a later date.

Conclusion

The courtroom battle between Donald Trump and E. Jean Carroll over allegations of sexual abuse and defamation continues. The outcome of this case will have significant implications for Trump’s political and financial future. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of gender equality and justice are central to the pursuit of justice in cases of sexual abuse and the protection of survivors.

Associated Press writer Jennifer Peltz contributed to this report.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 5: Gender Equality
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

The article discusses a lawsuit involving allegations of sexual abuse and defamation against Donald Trump. These issues are directly connected to SDG 5, which aims to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. The article also highlights the legal proceedings and the role of the court, which relates to SDG 16, which focuses on promoting peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, providing access to justice for all, and building effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres
• SDG 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all

The specific targets identified in the article are related to SDG 5.2, which aims to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls, and SDG 16.3, which focuses on promoting the rule of law and ensuring equal access to justice. The article discusses allegations of sexual abuse against Donald Trump, highlighting the importance of addressing violence against women. It also mentions the legal proceedings and the role of the court in providing access to justice for the accuser.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Number of reported cases of sexual abuse and violence against women
• Number of convictions and legal actions taken against perpetrators of sexual abuse
• Level of public awareness and understanding of gender-based violence
• Level of trust and confidence in the justice system among survivors of sexual abuse

The article does not explicitly mention specific indicators, but it implies the need to measure the number of reported cases of sexual abuse and violence against women, as well as the number of convictions and legal actions taken against perpetrators. It also suggests the importance of measuring the level of public awareness and understanding of gender-based violence and the level of trust and confidence in the justice system among survivors of sexual abuse.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: apnews.com