Judge Kaplan’s rebuke took place just before the commencement of opening statements, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation.
The ongoing legal clash in New York stems from a previous triumph for E. Jean Carroll against Donald Trump in May 2023. During that trial, a jury held Trump accountable for sexual abuse and defamation, resulting in a $5 million award for Carroll. She now pursues over $10 million, citing Trump’s 2019 statements where he denied the assault and suggested she fabricated the story for financial gain.
Adding complexity to the proceedings, the trial experienced a recent setback due to a juror contracting COVID-19. During this delay, Trump utilized social media to comment extensively on Carroll and assert absolute immunity for his prior statements.
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Of particular note, the judge criticized both Trump and his attorney, Alina Habba, for their tardiness during the proceedings, intensifying the courtroom atmosphere.
This rebuke comes in the wake of a series of incidents, including a recent occurrence where Habba missed an opportunity to challenge crucial evidence.
Carroll’s lawyer, Roberta Kaplan, presented a video clip borrowed from a January 17 Newsmax segment during which Trump dismissively stated, “I have no idea who [Carroll] was, and nor could I care less. It’s a rigged deal. It’s a made-up, fabricated story.”
Tension escalated when Habba failed to object to the clip being played, leading to an altercation between Habba and Judge Kaplan. The judge questioned the timing of the objection, and Habba’s explanation fell short of satisfying her.
The exchange concluded with Judge Kaplan instructing Habba to “have a seat,” marking another instance of the judge expressing displeasure with the defense’s behavior.
As the trial unfolds, the courtroom drama continues to captivate observers, with the added suspense of potential legal consequences for Alina Habba intensifying the stakes in this high-profile legal battle.
