Donald Trump was back in court in New York on Monday for the resumption of his E Jean Carroll defamation trial, and while he was expected to testify, proceedings were called to a halt over concerns about exposure to Covid-19 in both the jury and the defence team.
Mr Trump’s attorney Alina Habba asked for the court to resume on Wednesday, one day after the New Hampshire presidential primary election, a request that Ms Carroll’s attorneys have opposed.
Ms Habba reported to the judge that she was not feeling well and was not wearing a face covering while seated next to her client. A juror also reported feeling hot and nauseous.
US District Judge Lewis Kaplan agreed to postpone the hearing until Wednesday morning.
The jury is considering how much additional compensation the defendant must pay after being found liable last year for sexually assaulting her client.
They will weigh whether Mr Trump owes further damages to the retired magazine columnist after a previous trial ended with her being awarded $5m when it was ruled he had abused her in a department store dressing room in 1996.
Ron DeSantis suspends presidential bid and endorses Trump after campaign meltdown: 2024 live updates