E Jean Carroll stated the world “finally knows the truth” after a jury had discovered Donald Trump accountable for sexual abuse and defamation and ordered him to pay her almost $5m.
“We’re very happy,” the 79-year-old advised reporters outdoors court docket earlier than departing in a black SUV on Tuesday afternoon.
After listening to eight days of proof, the jury took simply two and a half hours to search out Mr Trump accountable for the 1996 sexual assault of Ms Carroll in a dressing room on the luxurious Manhattan division retailer Bergdorf Goodman.
The jury dominated that Mr Trump was not accountable for rape, however that he should pay Ms Carroll a complete of almost $5m in damages.
In an announcement launched after the decision, Ms Carroll stated: “I filed this lawsuit against Donald Trump to clear my name and to get my life back. Today, the world finally knows the truth. This victory is not just for me but for every woman who has suffered because she was not believed.”
She expressed her “deep and lasting gratitude to all those who have stood by me from the start”, singling out her authorized staff led by Roberta Kaplan “who never, ever backed down in pursuit of truth and justice.”
Ms Carroll spent almost 13 hours on the witness stand the place she recounted in graphic element the violent sexual assault. Under cross examination, she was peppered with questions by defence counsel Joe Tacopina about why she hadn’t screamed for assist throughout the sexual assault.
Jean Carroll, middle, walks out of Manhattan federal court docket, on 9 May 2023. A jury has discovered Donald Trump accountable for sexually abusing the recommendation columnist in 1996, awarding her $5m in a judgment that would hang-out the previous president as he campaigns to regain the White House.
(AP)
As the decision was learn out, Ms Carroll sat impassive within the entrance row beside her attorneys Ms Kaplan and Shawn Crowley.
She nodded her head as Judge Lewis Kaplan thanked the jury for paying shut consideration to the proof “even when it wasn’t riveting”.
After the jury have been led out she hugged Ms Kaplan and Ms Crowley. Mr Tacopina approached and shook her hand, and stated “congratulations and good luck”.
In an announcement, Ms Kaplan stated the decision confirmed that “nobody was above the law”.
“For far too long, survivors of sexual assault faced a wall of doubt and intimidation. We hope and believe today’s verdict will be an important step in tearing that wall down.
“E Jean Carroll has never wavered in her strength, courage, and determination to seek justice. Donald Trump, on the other hand, failed to even show up in court. This is a victory not only for E Jean Carroll, but for democracy itself, and for all survivors everywhere.”
