Donald Trump’s legal team has moved to disqualify a judge overseeing a defamation lawsuit brought by The Exonerated Five, raising questions of impartiality due to alleged personal ties.

At a Glance

• Trump faces a defamation lawsuit from The Exonerated Five over debate comments.
• Legal team seeks Judge Michael Baylson’s recusal due to personal relationship with opposing counsel.
• The case is filed in the US District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
• The lawsuit claims defamatory and false statements related to the 1989 Central Park case.
• The plaintiffs demand a jury trial for compensatory and punitive damages.

Trump’s Legal Battle

Donald Trump is involved in a defamation lawsuit concerning the “Central Park Five,” now known as The Exonerated Five. The lawsuit addresses false statements made during a presidential debate, wherein Trump allegedly misconstrued the nature of their convictions and the 1989 Central Park incident. This lawsuit is unfolding in Philadelphia’s federal court, specifically at the US District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

The Exonerated Five, who were wrongfully convicted and later exonerated through DNA evidence, argue that Trump’s comments are part of a pattern of defamatory behavior. Their attorney, Shanin Specter, disclosed prior personal and professional relations with Judge Baylson, prompting Trump’s legal team to question the judge’s impartiality, potentially affecting the case’s outcome.

The Exonerated Five have filed a defamation lawsuit against Donald Trump after he falsely claimed they pled guilty in the 1989 Central Park case and that the victim died. Accountability is needed — lies that fuel racial injustice cannot stand. https://t.co/sa8mQECuJX

— Ben Crump (@AttorneyCrump) October 21, 2024

Focus on Judge Recusal

Trump’s legal team argues that Judge Michael Baylson should be disqualified from overseeing the case due to a personal relationship with Shanin Specter, the lead attorney for the plaintiffs. “I am writing to disclose that I and my firm have personally represented both Judge Baylson and his wife,” Specter informed, emphasizing a longstanding friendship.

Shanin Specter’s acknowledgment of these personal ties is significant, as Trump’s attorneys claim they might compromise the court’s impartiality. Specter added, “We don’t oppose the motion to recuse,” reflecting their agreement with Trump’s legal maneuver.

Seeking Justice and Damages

The Exonerated Five were coerced into confessions many years ago, which they later recanted, leading to their exoneration in 2002. Subsequently, New York City awarded them a $40 million settlement. Currently, they are pursuing justice through a defamation lawsuit, seeking both compensatory and punitive damages in a jury trial.

“Donald Trump is facing a defamation lawsuit over comments he made during the September presidential debate about five men who were wrongly convicted in the 1989 jogger rape case and came to be known as the ‘Central Park Five,’” said Specter.

While Trump seeks recusal due to alleged judicial bias, it’s part of his broader strategy, evidenced by similar requests in other legal proceedings. Previously, he called for the death penalty for the same individuals, highlighting the contentious history that amplifies the current legal battle’s stakes.