Former President Donald Trump's lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, won't testify at his defamation trial in Georgia, where election worker Ruby Freeman and her daughter sued him for allegedly smearing their reputation with false accusations of election fraud. Giuliani's decision not to testify was conveyed to the court.
Freeman and Moss seek $15.5 million to $43 million in damages, alleging Giuliani orchestrated a smear campaign, which a judge had previously found him liable for defamation and emotional distress. Giuliani distanced himself from racist messages received by Freeman and Moss, claiming ignorance about the senders.
Initially defending his statements about them, Giuliani later admitted to making false claims but asserted they were constitutionally protected speech. The trial follows Giuliani's dissemination of a video alleging ballot fraud involving Freeman and Moss, later debunked by Georgia's secretary of state.
Freeman testified about receiving racist threats and harassment following Giuliani's online accusations, attributing her distress to the aftermath of false claims.
Key Points:
1. Rudy Giuliani's attorneys conveyed that he won't testify at his defamation trial on Thursday in Georgia, where Ruby Freeman and her daughter allege he orchestrated a smear campaign against them.
2. The lawsuit seeks damages ranging from $15.5 million to $43 million for defamation and emotional distress, with US District Judge Beryl Howell having already found Giuliani liable for defamation and conspiracy.
3. Giuliani distanced himself from racist messages received by Freeman and Moss, claiming ignorance about the senders, despite earlier asserting the truthfulness of his claims about them.
4. He had previously posted a video alleging fraudulent ballot processing by Freeman and Moss at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, a claim refuted by a Georgia secretary of state investigation.
5. Giuliani conceded making false statements about them but defended his actions as constitutionally protected speech.
6. Ruby Freeman testified in court, revealing receiving numerous racist and threatening messages after Giuliani's allegations, causing emotional distress and business damage.
7. She detailed phone calls, emails, messages, and visits to her home, expressing tearfully how a single tweet triggered a disturbing chain of events affecting her life and business.
8. Freeman recounted the distressing experience of strangers showing up at her home with bullhorns and the impact of false accusations on her reputation and livelihood.
9. Giuliani's absence from testifying contrasts with the gravity of accusations against him, with the trial shedding light on the aftermath of the election fraud claims he propagated.
10. The case highlights the repercussions of public figures' statements and the real-life impact of misinformation, emphasizing the distress caused by false accusations on individuals targeted by powerful figures.
(With Agency Inputs)
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