Trial is ongoing in the defamation case from Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss against Rudy Giuliani, though courtroom proceedings are only focusing upon the level of financial penalty to impose upon Giuliani. The presiding judge already found him liable for defamation by default after he failed to meet obligations associated with the discovery process, a routine, pretrial period in which case-related materials are shared.
Freeman and Moss, a mother and daughter, are former election workers in Georgia who served in 2020 and became the subject of debunked conspiracy theories alleging extensive fraud in the presidential race. Their lives were essentially upended in tandem with their seemingly random inclusion in election lies, as they faced threats to their safety including an incident where strangers showed up at a family member’s personal residence in hopes of conducting a so-called citizen’s arrest. Giuliani compared what the two were allegedly doing as they completed their election responsibilities to passing drugs — a characterization with no factual basis.
Giuliani, meanwhile, again ranted against Freeman and Moss this week, insisting that his previous claims about their supposed involvement in altering the vote were accurate. No credible authority has ever gotten behind the conspiracy theories. In court, Moss mentioned Giuliani’s latest lies on the witness stand, spurring a brief discussion between the judge and lawyers after Giuliani’s team objected. Clearly, the judge allowed Moss to discuss the Trump ally’s recent statements, because she then brought them back up before the jury while giving testimony. Jurors could see the comments as indicative of a pattern and intent on Giuliani’s part, potentially spurring a higher financial penalty.
“Last night after court, Mr. Giuliani exited the courtroom and told a reporter that he does not regret anything he has done to us because he’s telling the truth that we changed votes,” Moss recounted.
Looks like Moss’ side won the argument. Howell permits her to discuss Rudy’s comments from yesterday: pic.twitter.com/JoRXz8XNdS
— Kyle Cheney (@kyledcheney) December 12, 2023
