Former President Donald Trump’s Attorney Requests One-Month Delay in Trial of Columnist’s Rape Allegations

Former President Donald Trump’s attorney has requested a one-month delay in the trial of a columnist’s claims that Trump raped her in a department store dressing room in the 1990s. The attorney, Joseph Tacopina, argued that Trump’s right to a fair trial depends on a “cooling off” period following the former president’s indictment and arraignment.

In a letter to Judge Lewis A. Kaplan, Tacopina cited “the recent deluge of prejudicial media coverage” surrounding Trump’s arrest and court appearance in arguing for a delay. He believes that the pool of potential jurors will have the criminal charges “top of mind” when they are called due to intense media coverage and that could taint the jury pool.

The trial is in regards to a battery and defamation lawsuit brought by former magazine columnist E. Jean Carroll. Trump was charged March 30 with 34 felony counts related to allegations that he paid hush money to an adult film star, Stormy Daniels.

The judge has yet to rule on the request for a delay. If the request is granted, the trial would be pushed back to the end of May. Trump’s attorneys are hoping that the delay will allow for a more impartial jury to be selected.

The case is being closely watched by legal experts as it is the first time a former president has been charged with a crime. It remains to be seen how the judge will rule on the request for a delay and how it will affect the outcome of the trial.