A jury in New York City began deliberating Tuesday in the lawsuit filed by writer E. Jean Carroll, who claims Donald Trump raped her in a high-end Manhattan department store in 1996.
US District Judge Lewis Kaplan read instructions on the law to the nine-person jury before the panel began discussing Carroll’s assault and slander charges shortly before noon.
If Carroll is believed, jurors can award compensatory and punitive damages. Trump, who did not attend the trial, has insisted that he never sexually assaulted Carroll or met her.
Kaplan told jurors that the first question on the verdict form will be to decide whether they believe there is more than a 50 percent chance that Trump raped Carroll inside a store dressing room.
If they answer in the affirmative, then they will decide whether compensatory and punitive damages should be awarded.
If they answer “no” to the question about rape, they can decide whether Trump subjected her to lesser forms of assault involving sexual contact without her consent; or forcefully touch her to degrade her or satisfy his sexual desire.
If they answer yes to any of those questions, they will decide whether the damages are appropriate.
Trump posted a new message on social media, complaining that he is now awaiting the jury’s decision “on a false indictment.”
He said that he is “not allowed to speak or defend himself, even when tough journalists yell questions at me about this case.”
