Defamation Trial: E. Jean Carroll vs. Donald Trump

TL/DR –

At the start of a trial, Donald Trump’s lawyer Alina Habba and Judge Lewis Kaplan clashed over Trump’s court appearance. Habba requested a one-day adjournment Thursday so that Trump could attend his mother-in-law’s funeral, but Judge Kaplan declined to change his previous ruling. Kaplan had earlier ruled that Trump could only delay his testimony until the following Monday.

Trump’s Lawyer and Judge Clash Over Court Appearance

Alina Habba, attorney for former President Donald Trump, engaged in a verbal duel with Judge Lewis Kaplan at the trial’s commencement Tuesday. This came after Kaplan reprimanded Habba for restating arguments he had already ruled on. Kaplan tersely reminded Habba, “When the ruling is made that is the end not the beginning of argument.”

Request for Adjournment Amid Personal Crisis

Habba asked Judge Kaplan to grant an adjournment on Thursday so Trump could attend his mother-in-law’s funeral without having to choose between court and the funeral. “I am asking you… for a one-day adjournment of this trial” to “allow my client to be present for every day of this trial as he has a right to be,” Habba implored.

Judge Kaplan’s Firm Stance

“I am not stopping him from being there,” Kaplan stated. To which Habba retorted, “No, you’re stopping him from being here, Your Honor.” Kaplan remained steadfast on his earlier ruling, declaring, “The argument is over.”

Decision on Adjournment

After Habba’s initial week-long adjournment request in her letter, she sought adjournment solely for Thursday. Kaplan reaffirmed his written ruling that Trump could postpone his testimony until the upcoming Monday.

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