President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday asked a federal court to dismiss a defamation lawsuit against him related to the Central Park Five allegations.
Trump's lawyers argue that his comments about the Central Park Five, five wrongly convicted black and Hispanic men, are protected free speech. According to Reuters. Yusef Salaam, Raymond Santana, Kevin Richardson, Antron Brown, and Corey Wise were acquitted in 2002 after DNA evidence and a confession from another suspect.
Nevertheless, President Trump's comments suggest otherwise, and according to the lawsuit, it cast the men in a harmful light and caused them severe emotional distress, Reuters reported. Trump's lawyers have cited the First Amendment to argue that the remarks were protected expressions of public interest.
The five men sued Trump for defamation in October, saying he falsely accused them of the crime. The complaint points to comments Mr. Trump made about the group during a Sept. 10 debate with Vice President Kamala Harris, who said Mr. He also emphasized that he asked for
“Defendant Trump made false statements.” [at the debate] The plaintiff committed murder and pleaded guilty to the crime. These statements are demonstrably false,” the civil suit said. said. “Plaintiffs did not plead guilty to any crime and were subsequently cleared of all wrongdoing. Furthermore, the victims of the Central Park attack were not killed.”
WASHINGTON DC – NOVEMBER 13: US President-elect Donald Trump attends the House Republican Conference at the Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill on November 13, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
Shannyn Specter, who is representing the five, said they are eager to challenge Trump's claims in court.
“We look forward to receiving discovery and proceeding to trial,” Spector said.
Last November, U.S. District Judge Michael Beilson, appointed by former President George W. – Withdrawn due to close relationship with Spectre. The case will be reassigned within the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, where it was originally filed.
The ongoing lawsuit is between President Trump and the Central Park Five, who were falsely convicted of attacking investment banker Trisha Meili during a night jog in Central Park in 1989. It highlights a long-standing conflict. The assault was so brutal that Meili was beaten and raped, leading medical personnel to predict a fatal outcome and prompting the district attorney's office to consider murder. (Related: Trump-hating teacher chokes on air after resigning over 'extreme' video)
Trump's team did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Daily Caller News Foundation.
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