Judge rejects Trump DNA offer in E Jean Carroll rape and defamation case.donald trump

Donald Trump missed his chance to use his DNA to try to prove he didn’t rape author E. Jean Carroll.

Judge Louis A. Kaplan rejected an 11th hour offer by Trump’s legal team to provide a DNA sample to refute claims Carroll first made public in her 2019 book.

Kaplan said attorneys for Trump and Carroll had more than three years to bring DNA into question in the case, and they both chose not to do so.

He will almost certainly delay the trial, which is scheduled to start on April 25, to reopen the question of DNA, four months after the deadline for filing concerns about the trial’s evidence has passed, just weeks before the trial. Said it would be before

A lawyer for Trump did not immediately comment. Carroll’s attorney, Roberta Kaplan, declined to comment.

Carroll’s attorney said Trump’s DNA was being tested for comparison to the stain found on the dress Carroll wore the day she said Trump raped her in a department store locker room in late 1995 or early 1996. I’ve been looking for for 3 years. A trace of an unknown man’s DNA.

Trump denied knowing Carole, repeatedly said he never raped her, and accused her of fueling book sales.she sued him for defaming her new york A law that allows alleged victims of sexual assault to sue alleged crimes outside the normal statute of limitations.

After refusing to provide a DNA sample, Trump’s lawyer changed tactics and said he would provide a DNA sample if Carroll’s lawyer provided a full DNA report for the dress.

However, Kaplan said Trump did not provide a compelling reason to release him from the consequences of not asking for a full DNA report in a timely manner.

The judge also said the report found no evidence of sperm cells, and reopening the dispute would raise “complicated new issues in this case that both sides have chosen not to pursue over the years.” said he would.

He said that if Trump’s DNA matched the dress’s DNA, it would only prove that Trump and Carol had an encounter on the day she wore the dress, proving or disproving that the rape occurred. Not a thing, not entirely definitive. .

Kaplan added: Whether or not Trump’s application is for the purpose of delay, the potential bias against Carroll is clear. “

The Associated Press generally does not name people who say they have been sexually assaulted unless they come forward, as Carroll did.

The Carroll case is just one source of legal jeopardy for Trump, one of two candidates for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination.

He also faces investigations into hush money payments to porn stars who allege cheating, investigations into his financial and tax affairs, investigations into attempts to overthrow his elections, and investigations into keeping confidential records.

• Information and support for those affected by rape and sexual abuse issues is available from the following organizations: in the United States, rain Provide support at 800-656-4673. in England, rape crisis provides support on 0808 802 9999. In Australia, support is available at: 1800 respect (1800 737 732). Other international helplines can be found at: ibiblio.org/rcip/internl.html