Amid court proceedings on Wednesday in former President Donald Trump's defamation trial brought by E. Jean Carroll, Trump's lawyer, Alina Habba faced a "testy" courtroom exchange as Judge Lewis Kaplan told her to "sit down."
Trump, the current frontrunner in the 2024 GOP presidential primary, faces a second defamation trial by Carroll, a former Elle columnist, that began on Tuesday as it will decide how much Trump owes in damages. A civil trial that concluded last May found that Trump was liable for sexually abusing and defaming Carroll, who ultimately was rewarded $5 million. The accusation of defamation against Trump follows the former president's denial that he sexually assaulted her at a Bergdorf Goodman department store in the 1990s in New York City. In 2019, the former president said Carroll was "not my type," suggesting she made up the allegation. In this lawsuit, Carroll is seeking $10 million in damages.
On Friday, lawyers for Trump requested that Kaplan, who is overseeing the trial, postpone the trial to the following week because of the sudden death of Trump's mother-in-law, Amalija Knavs, as the former president will be traveling on Wednesday to attend the funeral scheduled for Thursday.
However, Kaplan denied the request and said that while the court "offers its condolences" to the Trump family, the trial would continue as scheduled.
On Wednesday, Habba, who is representing Trump in the case, had a tense courtroom exchange with Kaplan after she asked for an adjournment of the trial tomorrow so that Trump could attend his mother-in-law's funeral.
In response to Habba's request, Kaplan said her application had been denied and for Habba to sit down.
Newsweek has reached out to Habba and Trump's spokesperson via email for comment.
Erica Orden, legal reporter at Politico noted the exchange on X, formerly Twitter as she is reporting from the courtroom.
"VERY testy exchange between Habba and Judge Kaplan after Habba again asked for adjournment so Trump can attend funeral. Kaplan: 'The application is denied. I will hear no further argument on it.' Habba attempted to speak.Kaplan: 'None. Do you understand that word? Sit down.'," Orden wrote on X
Inner City Press also noted the exchange saying, "Habba: But my client has to choose between attending his mother in law's funeral. Judge Kaplan: I have ruled. Sit down. Habba: I don't like to be spoken to that why [sic]. Please refrain. I am asking for an adjournment for a funeral.Judge Kaplan: Denied. Sit down."
Kyle Griffin, executive producer at MSNBC News' The Weekend wrote on X, "Trump lawyer Alina Habba asked Judge Kaplan for adjournment of the trial tomorrow so that Trump can attend his mother-in-law's funeral. It sparked a tense exchange with the judge. Kaplan eventually said Habba's application is denied and told her to sit down."
The Trump campaign has an event for Wednesday at 7 p.m. in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, the same day Trump said he would be traveling for his mother-in-law's funeral, which raised questions online, although it's unclear if he still plans to attend the event.
MSNBC News legal analyst Lisa Rubin wrote, "There's really nothing like telling a federal judge that you have to travel for your mother-in-law's funeral and therefore need a postponement, only to announce a campaign event in New Hampshire less than 24 hours later."
X user Grandpa Snarky wrote, "Trump's accusing Judge Kaplan of being 'crazed and Trump-hating' for not postponing the E. Jean Carroll trial for a funeral...on the same day he scheduled a NH campaign rally. It's like calling the referee blind when you're the one fumbling the ball."
Although Trump is not required to be at the trial, the former president had expressed interest in attending.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
"exchange" - Google News
January 18, 2024 at 12:41AM
https://ift.tt/2UIPBsx
Alina Habba Blasted by Judge in Fiery Courtroom Exchange: 'Sit Down' - Newsweek
"exchange" - Google News
https://ift.tt/gD0fQYL
https://ift.tt/qnfzc7J
Exchange
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "Alina Habba Blasted by Judge in Fiery Courtroom Exchange: 'Sit Down' - Newsweek"
Post a Comment