Alina Habba, the attorney who represented former President Donald Trump in a recent defamation trial brought by E. Jean Carroll, has sharply criticized the presiding judge, Lewis Kaplan, for his conduct during the proceedings.
In an appearance on Newsmax, Habba expressed her discontent with Kaplan's handling of the trial, particularly his threat to incarcerate her over a dispute regarding the admissibility of evidence. "We have a judge that is trying to throw a civil attorney, threatening me that he's going to put me in the 'clink,' because I objected to his ruling on an evidentiary issue," Habba stated, underscoring the tension that permeated the courtroom.
This legal drama unfolded in the wake of a jury's decision to award Carroll $83.3 million in damages for defamation by Trump, a verdict that came after a separate jury had previously found Trump liable for sexual assault and defamation, awarding Carroll $5 million. Trump has vehemently denied any wrongdoing and is appealing both verdicts.
Habba's remarks on Newsmax highlighted her frustration with Kaplan's limitations on evidence presentation, which she argued hampered their ability to fully present their case to the jury. "That jury in that silo wouldn't know that because they're not allowed on the internet," Habba lamented, hinting at the jury's potential lack of awareness of critical evidence excluded by Kaplan's rulings.
Habba's critique extended beyond the courtroom, as she openly advised Carroll against making extravagant purchases in anticipation of the awarded damages, suggesting that the verdict might be overturned on appeal, "On appeal, those rulings will come up, the one-sidedness will come up, and we will prevail."
"My advice to her would be not to go ahead and purchase any motorcycles or penthouse apartments," Habba cautioned, reflecting her confidence in Trump's prospects in the appellate courts.
The trial's contentious atmosphere was further underscored by Kaplan's stern warning to Habba on January 26, when he cautioned that she was on the brink of being jailed following her challenge to his decision to exclude a particular slide from her closing argument. This incident, along with other critical moments during the trial, has drawn attention from legal observers, some of whom have questioned Habba's courtroom strategies and her interactions with the judge.
In the wake of the jury's verdict, Trump announced on his social media platform that he was considering new legal representation for the forthcoming appeal, suggesting a potential shift in his defense strategy. This development, coupled with Habba's public criticisms, underscores the high-stakes and highly scrutinized nature of the legal battles involving the former president.
As the case moves into the appellate phase, the legal community and the public alike will be closely watching to see how these complex legal and evidentiary issues will be resolved, and whether the contentious dynamics observed during the trial will influence the outcome of the appeals.
