The civil trial against former US President Donald Trump on allegations of rape of journalist E. Jean Carroll is coming to an end. Carroll’s attorney Roberta Kaplan, in her closing argument in federal court in New York yesterday, called the jury to convict Trump: “No one is above the law, not even a former president.”
Kaplan recalled that Carroll, 79, testified for two full days at the trial, answering “question after question after question.” The jury – six men and three women – “didn’t hear much” from Trump.
Trump did not attend the trial
The president stayed away from the civil proceedings that began in late April and was not required to attend. During the trial, however, footage was shown of Kaplan questioning Trump in October. The 76-year-old once again firmly rejected Carroll’s allegations and stressed that the former Elle columnist was not “type” for him.
However, upon questioning, Trump confused Carroll with his ex-wife Marla Maples in a photo from the 1990s that he was shown. Kaplan has now used this in his closing speech to cast doubt on the former president’s remarks. The truth is, Carroll “was exactly his type,” said the lawyer.
Judgment possible at any time
Trump’s attorney Tacopina, on the other hand, said the former president never raped Carroll: “She never went to the police because it never happened.” immediately,” said Tacopina. The jury would have to use its “common sense.”
A verdict could be reached any time when the jury begins its deliberations today. As this is a civil and not a criminal case, Trump does not face jail time even if he is convicted.