But «her cross-examination could be an ordeal,” experts warn.
E. Jean Carroll’s lawyer, Shawn Crowley told the jury on Tuesday that her client is suing former President Donald Trump for raping her in a New York department store in 1996 to «clear her name, pursue justice, and get her life back» after Trump repeatedly denied the incident.
The alleged assault nearly 30 years ago in a Bergdorf Goodman dressing room has filled Carroll with fear and shame, the lawyer said Tuesday in a Manhattan federal court.
«The whole attack lasted just a few minutes, but it would stay with her forever,» Crowley said in her opening statement.
Carroll, a longtime magazine columnist, is suing Trump for battery and defamation. She alleges the former president raped her in the Manhattan luxury department store in the spring of 1996 and later defamed her when she went public with the allegations.
«Three women, one clear pattern,» Crowley said. «Start with a friendly encounter in a semi-public place. All of a sudden pounce, kiss, grab, grope. Don’t wait. When you are a star, you can do anything you want. And when they speak up about what happened, attack. Humiliate them. Call them liars. Call them too ugly to assault.»
Carroll testified on Wednesday following the testimony of Cheryl Beal, who worked at the department store.
«We can infer from opening statements that Carroll’s case will be powerful, supported by not only her own testimony but that of friends who spoke with her soon after the event as well as other victims of Trump’s alleged misconduct,» former federal prosecutor Kevin O’Brien told Salon.
