WARNING: Jury told to keep low profile by judge in Trump sexual assault trial
After a verdict in the former president’s sexual assault case, the judge offered some very serious advice to the jury.
Donald Trump was found liable for sexual assault after E. Jean Carroll provided the jury with information about the incident in the 1990s when she says he shoved her into a dressing room and attacked her.
After the decision, Judge Lewis Kaplan addressed the jury.
Juries are typically thanked for their service, and given instructions about what they’re allowed to share about their experience.
In this case, Judge Kaplan explained that, while they’re legally free to identify themselves, he’d advise against it.
He suggested they should wait “a long time” before naming themselves publicly, and forbade them to identify their fellow jurors.
While he did not specifically warn of danger from Trump or his fan base, the implication was there, especially after he initially agreed to keep the jury anonymous against the defendant’s wishes. CNN reports:
“‘My advice to you is not to identify yourselves. Not now and not for a long time…If you’re one who elects to speak to others and to identify yourselves to others, I direct you not to identify anyone else who sat on this jury,’ Kaplan added. ‘Each of you owes that to the other whatever you decided for yourself.'”
Trump’s commentary on the case — offered outside the courtroom because he refused to take the witness stand — has been a major issue, with the judge warning attorney Joe Tacopina that he should advise his client about public disclosures, especially those that appear to be targeted to reach the jury.
It’s his vitriol and verbal attacks, though, that raise the biggest concerns.
Trump declared his intention last week to “confront” E. Jean Carroll over her allegations, but he didn’t do so in court, even though Judge Kaplan extended the opportunity.
He’s already taken issue with the jury being allowed to remain anonymous.
Last month, his attorney filed a letter requesting that the attorneys for the parties be given the names of the jurors and submitted a proposed questionnaire that would provide, among other things, their thoughts on Trump’s social media and his presidency, which news channels they watch and what organizations they donate to or volunteer for, and their own personal information, including names and employment.
Tacopina argued in his letter that this would increase the chances of a fair trial. The judge quickly rejected this claim as mere attempts at intimidation.
