A federal jury found former President Donald Trump liable Tuesday in a civil case for sexual abuse and battery of E. Jean Carroll in 1996 and said he should pay her $5 million in total damages, including for battery with defamation, a verdict that could further complicate the former president’s election bid in 2024.
The jury, which deliberated fewer than three hours, also found Trump liable for defamation. Jurors opted not to find Trump liable for rape but rather sexual abuse.
Trump is likely to appeal the verdict.
Carroll, a professional writer, had sued Trump for defamation, saying he lied about a 1996 sexual assault in a New York City department store and disparaged her character in doing so.
Trump, who has denied Carroll’s claims, said on his Truth Social website early in the day that the trial involved a “False Accusation” and he would “not speak until after the trial.”
Jury instructions
This is a civil case, not a criminal one. The jury was not asked to find Trump “guilty” or “not guilty,” but whether he was liable for an attack on Carroll. They had several alternative verdicts to consider.
In written instructions, U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan asked jurors to decide whether the “preponderance of the evidence” shows that Trump “raped,” “sexually abused,” or “forcibly touched” Carroll. It chose that middle option.
The jury was also asked to determine if Trump’s conduct was “willfully or wantonly negligent, reckless, or done with a conscious disregard of the rights of Ms. Carroll.” It said yes.
The instruction sheet also asked if Trump’s criticisms of Carroll in social media posts were “defamatory,” “false,” or made “with actual malice.”
Final arguments
The jurors began their deliberations a day after attorneys for Carroll and Trump made their final arguments.
Carroll’s attorneys argued that Trump has a history of pouncing on women and stressed that he refused to appear at the two-week trial to defend himself.
E. Jean Carroll v. Donald Trump: Attorneys make final…
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