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The U.S. Supreme Court has opted not to hear the appeal from former President Donald Trump concerning a $5 million jury verdict against him related to a sexual abuse and defamation case initiated by journalist E. Jean Carroll. The decision comes after the case had been repeatedly rescheduled for conference since February, initially appearing before the justices on June 25.
Carroll had filed the lawsuit in 2022 in federal court in New York, alleging that Trump sexually assaulted her in a department store dressing room in Manhattan in 1996. She further claimed that Trump defamed her in 2022 when the allegations became public. The jury’s $5 million award was subsequently upheld by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit.
Trump’s appeal to the Supreme Court argued against the admissibility of testimony from other women who alleged Trump had assaulted them, as well as the inclusion of the 2005 “Access Hollywood” tape. Carroll, in her brief opposing Trump’s petition, contended that even without this evidence, the strength of her case was sufficient enough to withstand scrutiny, urging the court to deny review.
The Supreme Court rejected Trump’s petition without noting a dissent, paving the way for further proceedings in related legal battles. Another petition for review in a separate defamation case involving Carroll, where an $83 million verdict was upheld by the same federal appeals court, is anticipated soon. For a more detailed account, visit SCOTUSblog.
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