•Trump in court
Donald Trump’s sexual assault defamation trial was delayed after a juror reported COVID symptoms today, the eve of the New Hampshire Republican presidential primary vote.
The juror in the civil case, at which Trump says he will testify, reported symptoms of fever, as did one of Trump’s lawyers who had a separate exposure, the federal court in New York heard, reports AFP.
“We sent him home… We will not take testimony today, we will take the day off,” said Judge Lewis Kaplan of juror number three.
Following the announcement of the delay, which will be reviewed tomorrow to determine if the case in its final stages can proceed, Trump was whisked away in a metallic black Chevrolet SUV.
E. Jean Carroll, a successful writer, is seeking more than $10 million in damages for defamation by Trump, whom another New York civil jury found liable for sexual assault against her.
Trump separately faces four serious criminal cases, including his alleged attempt to overthrow the results of the 2020 election in which he lost to Biden.
He has shuttled between New York to attend the defamation case and a separate civil fraud trial and New Hampshire campaign stops.
The primary is seen as the last, best chance for Haley to stop Trump, who despite being twice impeached as president and now facing four criminal cases, has succeeded in imposing his far-right brand on the entire Republican party.
A new Washington Post/Monmouth poll Monday showed Trump, 77, backed by 52 percent in New Hampshire to Haley’s 34 percent.
