The ruling stands to streamline significantly the second trial, set for January.
Jurors awarded Carroll $5 million, finding that she was sexually abused but rejecting her allegation that she was raped.
The judge said the jury's May verdict, by finding that Trump had indeed sexually abused Carroll, effectively established that his 2019 statements also were false and defamatory.
Trump lawyer Alina Habba said Wednesday that his legal team is confident that the jury verdict will be overturned, mooting the judge’s new decision.
Trump, the early front-runner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, also is seeking to delay the second trial.
Persons:
Donald Trump, Jean Carroll, Trump, Carroll, District Judge Lewis Kaplan, ”, Roberta Kaplan, who's, Alina Habba
Organizations:
District
Locations:
U.S