A jury in New York City has reached a verdict in a case involving a civil lawsuit against former President Donald Trump, accusing him of sexual crimes.
In a much-awaited verdict, Trump has been held accountable for battery in the civil lawsuit filed by E. Jean Carroll. However, he was not found guilty of the rape allegation made by Carroll in her legal action.
It’s important to note that being found liable in a civil suit does not carry the same weight as being found guilty in a criminal case. The standard of proof in a civil case is typically lower than in a criminal case, and the penalties often involve financial compensation rather than imprisonment or other criminal consequences.
In this case, Trump’s liability for battery means that he may be required to pay monetary damages to Carroll as a result of his actions. According to AP News, the jury awarded Carroll $5 million in damages, which is higher than the initially reported minimum of $2 million.
The case involving Carroll and Trump began in 2019, when Carroll, a journalist and writer, accused Trump of raping her in the mid-1990s. Trump denied the allegations, calling Carroll a liar and claiming that he had never met her.
Verdict in the E. Jean Carroll vs Trump case:
The jury ruled that Donald Trump did not rape E. Jean Carroll, but is liable for sexual abuse. pic.twitter.com/fRaT2sG7SI
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) May 9, 2023
In November 2019, Carroll filed a defamation lawsuit against Trump in New York State Supreme Court, alleging that his statements about her had harmed her reputation and caused her emotional distress.
Judge issues decorum warning for Carroll v. Trump verdict:
"No shouting. No jumping up and down. No race for the door."
— Adam Klasfeld (@KlasfeldReports) May 9, 2023
Trump’s legal team attempted to have the case dismissed, but a judge denied their request, allowing the case to proceed. As the case moved through the court system, both sides presented arguments and evidence to support their positions, keeping the case in the headlines.
Ronna McDaniel says Americans don't care about the E. Jean Carroll lawsuit:
"I do think the American people, though, are going to be focused on what's happening on our southern border, what's happening with inflation."pic.twitter.com/Z2hdGfJNip
— Citizen Free Press (@CitizenFreePres) May 9, 2023
Opinions will vary, but Republican officials believe the case was politically motivated and that most Americans ultimately won’t care about the ruling but care more about so-called “kitchen table” issues like their personal finances, food and gas prices, and even the chaos along the southern border.