Lawyers for E. Jean Carroll have requested that a federal appeals court expedite the appeal of Donald Trump in their first trial, in which a jury awarded Carroll $5 million in damages for defamation and battery in May 2023. Carroll is pushing for oral arguments to be scheduled by July to prevent further delays from Trump, who may use his ongoing criminal trial or busy campaign schedule as excuses to prolong the proceedings. The motion filed with the 2nd US Circuit Court of Appeals points to Trump’s history of attempting to delay both trials with Carroll as evidence that he is likely to drag out the appeal process.
The motion argues that Trump has consistently engaged in dilatory, obstructive, and bad faith behavior throughout the legal proceedings. Given the upcoming general presidential election campaign and several active state and federal criminal proceedings involving Trump, the motion suggests that Trump may seek to push any scheduled oral arguments into early 2025, potentially using the pretext of preparing for an inauguration or awaiting another criminal trial. Carroll’s legal team is calling for an expedited appellate ruling on the first case to facilitate a timely resolution in Trump’s separate appeal of the verdict in the second trial, which was based on the outcome of the first trial according to the judge who oversaw both cases.
In the second trial held in January, the jury determined that Trump should pay Carroll $83.3 million in damages for defaming her. Carroll’s lawyers are emphasizing her advancing age of 80 years as a factor that should be considered by the appeals court. They note that Carroll has been fighting for justice for almost five years and is facing increasing challenges related to her age. By emphasizing Carroll’s age and the prolonged legal battle she has endured, the motion seeks to underscore the importance of expediting the appeal process to bring closure and resolution to the case.
Overall, Carroll’s legal team is urging the appeals court to prioritize the appeal of Trump’s verdict in the first trial to prevent further delays and ensure a timely resolution of both cases. They highlight Trump’s history of using delaying tactics and the potential impact of his involvement in other legal and political matters as reasons to expedite the proceedings. By emphasizing Carroll’s age and the extended duration of her pursuit of justice, the lawyers hope to garner the court’s sympathy and support for their request for an expedited decision. Ultimately, the goal is to bring closure to the legal dispute between Carroll and Trump and secure a final resolution in a timely manner.
