A Manhattan jury began deliberations Tuesday morning in writer E. Jean Carroll’s civil rape trial against former President Donald Trump.
The jury — made up of six men and three women — has been overseeing the case against the 45th president in Manhattan federal court for eight days spread over the last three weeks.
The jurors must decide whether Trump, 76, should be held liable for Carroll’s claims that he raped her in a Bergdorf Goodman fitting room, most likely in 1996.
They must also decide whether Trump defamed Carroll, 79, by publicly denying her accusations, claiming he didn’t know her and claiming she was lying for political reasons and to help push the sale of her book.
If the jury finds Trump liable, it will also be tasked with determining how much money he should have to pay Carroll for the damages. Since the case is not criminal, Trump does not face any jail time.
Judge Lewis Kaplan gave the jury instructions on the law before sending them off to start weighing the evidence.
Judge Lewis Kaplan is expected to give the jurors instruction on the law before releasing the panel to begin deciding the case.
The ex-president has not attended any of the trial but clips of his video deposition were played for the jury.
In a post on Truth Social, right before deliberations began, Trump claimed he was not allowed to speak or defend himself — despite being given every opportunity to show up to trial and testify if he chose to.
He also said he plans to appeal, “no matter the outcome!”
Over the course of the last three weeks, Carroll’s legal team called 10 witnesses and she delivered emotional testimonyherself for three days, during which she recounted that she could still feel the pain from the alleged attack.
Jurors are set to begin deliberating in E. Jean Carroll’s rape case against Donald Trump. ALEC TABAK
Trump did not testify at trial but his deposition video was played for jurors. via REUTERS
The jury has overseen the eight days of trial in Manhattan federal court. REUTERSTwo friends of the “Ask E. Jean” advice columnist took the witness stand to recall for jurors when their pal reported the alleged sexual assault to them in the minutes and days following the incident.
Two Trump accusers, Natasha Stoynoff and Jessica Leeds, also testified about their own alleged sexual assaults by the real estate mogul.
Trump did not call any witnesses or show the jury any evidence.
During closing arguments Monday, Carroll’s lawyer Roberta Kaplan blasted Trump, claiming he “didn’t even bother” to show up for the trial, and called him a habitual liar.
Trump’s lawyer Joe Tacopina told jurors in his closing remarks that Carroll’s case was a “work of fiction.”
