Rudy Giuliani decided not to take the stand in his defamation case involving Georgia poll workers Thursday before his defense rested its case.
Legal analyst Lisa Rubin explained that throughout the trial, Giuliani has been defiant with continued attacks against Ruby Feeman and Shaye Moss, who are suing him for accusing them of election interference in the 2020 vote. The two testified this week in an emotional appeal to the jury, explaining how their lives were turned upside down based on lies about their volunteer work counting the votes in Georgia.
He has already been found liable for defamation and the trial is to decide damages.
MSNBC justice reporter Ryan Reilly said that even Giuliani's own lawyer clearly didn't have any control over his client. On two occasions, Giuliani was accused of continuing to defame the women and doubled down on his lies about them. Still, Reilly said he was curious how Giuliani would respond and what he would say to reporters outside of the courthouse after the jury began deliberations.
Giuliani was the only defense witness that was going to be called. The defense team also didn't cross-examine any of the prosecution's witnesses on Wednesday.
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"Let's go back to what this trial is really about," legal analyst Lisa Rubin explained. "Judge Beryl Howell had already decided that Giuliani is liable for defaming Ruby Freeman and her daughter Shaye Moss. So, all this trial is about is damages.
"Query what Giuliani could have offered as a witness where the only issue for the jury is the quantum of damages. He can't deny that he defamed them. His intent is not at issue. I think what happened here is that money talks, and Rudy Giuliani finally listened."
Host Ana Cabrera recalled Giuliani was saying a lot outside the courtroom, "which the judge didn't like."
Giuliani apparently doesn't have the funds available to pay for any damages a court decides.
See the full discussion in the video below or at the link here.