File: E. Jean Carroll is seen outside State Supreme Court on March 4, 2020, in New York. (Alec Tabak for New York Daily News/Tribune News Service via Getty Images) NEW YORK - A federal judge wants to know if ex-President Donald Trump plans to attend a New York trial this month resulting from a columnist’s claims that he raped her in a department store dressing room in the 1990s.Judge Lewis A.
Kaplan issued an order Monday directing parties in the case to notify him by April 20 whether they will be present throughout the trial, scheduled to start April 25 in Manhattan federal court.A writer, E.
Jean Carroll, sued Trump in November, saying he raped her in early 1996 after a chance meeting at the Bergdorf Goodman department store.
He has repeatedly and emphatically denied it in language sure to be highlighted for a jury that will decide whether the rape occurred and if Trump defamed Carroll with his comments.The rape claims were made immediately after a temporary state law took effect allowing adult rape victims to sue their abusers, even if attacks happened decades ago.Trump's lawyers did not respond Monday to requests for comment on Kaplan's order.Attorney Roberta Kaplan, no relation to the judge, said Carroll "intends to be present for the entire trial."December 4 is the next big date to watch for in the Donald Trump indictment saga.