A federal judge has recused himself from a defamation case involving former President Donald Trump and the Exonerated Five, citing a personal relationship with the plaintiffs’ lead attorney.
Well, at least he finally did it.
At a Glance
- Judge Michael M. Baylson withdraws from Trump defamation case
- Case involves the Exonerated Five, formerly known as the Central Park Five
- Trump’s attorneys requested recusal due to judge’s relationship with plaintiffs’ lawyer
- Lawsuit stems from Trump’s comments during a presidential debate
- Case to be transferred to another judge in the same district court
Judge Recuses Himself from High-Profile Case
Judge Michael M. Baylson has recused himself from presiding over a defamation case involving former President Donald Trump and the Exonerated Five – and it’s about time, too.
The decision comes after Trump’s legal team requested the judge’s withdrawal, citing concerns over his personal relationship with Shanin Specter, the lead attorney for the plaintiffs.
The case, which is still in its preliminary stages, stems from statements made by Trump during a presidential debate. The Exonerated Five, formerly known as the Central Park Five, allege that Trump made false and defamatory remarks about them, despite their official exoneration in a highly publicized 1989 incident.
Judge agrees to recuse himself from Central Park Five defamation suit against Trump https://t.co/t78TVdpMT0
— The Hill (@thehill) November 16, 2024
The Exonerated Five’s Ongoing Legal Battle
The Exonerated Five were wrongfully convicted in 1989 for the rape and beating of a jogger in Central Park. They were later exonerated by DNA evidence and a confession from the actual perpetrator. Despite their innocence being proven, Trump has continued to claim they were guilty and had previously called for their execution.
This lawsuit was filed after Trump allegedly misstated facts about the Exonerated Five during a debate with then-Senator Kamala Harris, confusing guilty pleas with confessions. The plaintiffs are seeking a jury trial for compensatory and punitive damages.
“They admitted, they said they pled guilty and I said, ‘well, if they pled guilty they badly hurt a person, killed a person ultimately … And they pled guilty, then they pled not guilty,” Donald Trump said.
It almost feels like Kamala baited him into saying it, right?
The recusal of Judge Baylson has raised questions about the potential impact on the proceedings. Shanin Specter, the plaintiffs’ lead attorney, disclosed his long-standing friendship with the judge, stating they have known each other since childhood and have represented each other legally.
“I am writing to disclose that I and my firm have personally represented both Judge Baylson and his wife. I have also known and enjoyed a friendship with Judge Baylson since I was a child. Both he and his wife have been guests in my home on various occasions, and I and my wife have been guests in their home on various occasions as well,” Shanin Specter said.
The case will now be transferred to another judge within the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. This change in presiding judge could potentially affect the trajectory of the case, although it is too early to determine the exact implications.
Trump’s campaign has dismissed the lawsuit as a tactic by “left-wing activists.” However, the Exonerated Five maintain that Trump’s continued false statements about their case warrant legal action. The group had previously received a $40 million settlement from New York City after their convictions were vacated in 2002.
