The drama escalates outside the courthouse as the jury takes its time over the high-profile defamation lawsuit against former Trump attorney, Rudy Giuliani. Accused by two Georgia election workers of spreading falsehoods about them during the turbulent 2020 presidential elections, Giuliani now faces the prospect of a $48 million penalty for his alleged transgressions.
After launching their deliberations yesterday, the eight-person jury spent the equivalent of a typical workday - over seven and a half hours - poring over the case. Their concerns revolved not only around the allegations levied against Giuliani, but also the substantial sum demanded by the plaintiffs, Shea Moss and Ruby Freeman.
Both Moss and Freeman seek approximately $24 million each from Giuliani, for the purpose of repairing their tarnished reputations. This is just the tip of the proverbial iceberg, however, with the jury tasked with the responsibility of deciding upon additional penalties for the reputed emotional distress Giuliani has reportedly inflicted on the two women.
Moreover, the jury is faced with the task of deciding upon a punitive damages figure; a financial reprimand for Giuliani's alleged behavior. The plaintiffs' legal team have made no secret of their desire for this figure to be a significant one, intended as an unambiguous message to the powerful individuals who may consider indulging in similar behavior in the future.
However, even with every deliberation, decision, and dictated sum, an underlying question remains: will Giuliani, who declared in court that he is financially insolvent, be able to pay the damages in the event that the jury demands them? The answer to this question currently hangs in the balance, as does the possibility of the judge granting Giuliani extra time for appeals should a verdict be reached imminently.
The myriad of complex issues at stake within this courtroom echoes out to the wider world as everyone awaits the jury's verdict on this crucial defamation trial. The clock is ticking, but for now, Giuliani's fate remains undecided.
