Sick juror in NYC defamation trial is bad news for Donald Trump: expert

A possible coronavirus outbreak in former President Donald Trump’s civil defamation hearing may have both foiled his campaign plans and spoiled his chances for a favorable outcome in the trial, former prosecutor Elie Honig said Monday.

Court was canceled Monday after one of nine jurors overseeing E. Jean Carroll's federal lawsuit against Trump reported feeling COVID-19 symptoms and was dismissed, reports show. Trump's lawyer, Alina Habba, also reported feeling unwell.

Trump had been expected to take the stand. The judge ordered a one-day adjournment, and plans to resume Tuesday — the day of the New Hampshire primary.

According to Honig, who was speaking on CNN, Trump suffered two losses — primarily the chance to make what he considers a stump speech from the courtroom ahead of the New Hampshire Primary Tuesday.

“Trump has been approaching this whole trial and the other ones as a political opportunity," Honig said. “Legally speaking, there's no reason for Donald Trump to take the stand."

Trump also suffered a blow with the loss of the ninth juror, Honig argued.

The civil court trial — which is to determine damages as Trump has already been found liable — needs only six jurors to continue, Honig said.

But the jurors must come back with a unanimous verdict, which means every person on the panel is someone who might refuse to rule against Trump, Honig said.

ALSO READ: Alina Habba is persona non grata at her Pennsylvania law school

“If I’m Donald Trump, I want as many as possible,” Honig said. “More jurors, more chances to get a hung jury.”

Trump’s attorney Habba, who reported that her parents had been exposed to COVID-19, has asked for Trump’s testimony to be bumped to Wednesday so he can campaign in New Hampshire on Tuesday. Kaplan told her he would make his decision later and shuttered the court for the day.

Reporter Maggie Haberman noted the former president appeared displeased with Monday's outcome, writing on X, "Trump looked not happy as Judge Kaplan in Manhattan federal court delayed testimony in the trial for the day."

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