Judge postpones Monday's proceedings in E. Jean Carroll defamation trial after juror calls out sick

The judge in the civil defamation case against former President Donald Trump canceled proceedings Monday after a juror called out sick.

The judge reportedly gave the legal teams for Trump and plaintiff E. Jean Carroll the option of holding proceeding with jut eight jurors, by the Trump team said no. 

The trial against Trump, also the front-running 2024 GOP presidential candidate, centers on his 2019 comments branding Carroll a liar who faked a sexual attack to sell a memoir, according to the Associated Press. 

Trump was to arrive a court in the morning when the trial resumes after a weekend break, then head to New Hampshire, where the country's first presidential primary will be held Tuesday, for an evening rally. 

If Trump testifies before the jury at a later date, his testimony will be limited. The trial could conclude by week's end.

A jury last year found Trump sexually abused Carroll. So U.S. District Judge Judge Lewis A. Kaplan has ruled that if the former president takes the stand now, he won't be allowed to say she concocted her allegation or that she was motivated by financial or political considerations, the wire service also reports.