Women to testify they can corroborate E Jean Carroll’s rape allegation against Trump

Lisa Birnbach and Carol Martin expected to testify that columnist told them about alleged assault shortly after it happened in 1996

Jurors in E Jean Carroll's legal action against Donald Trump for alleged rape and defamation are expected to begin hearing on Tuesday from two women who say they can back key parts of the advice columnist's account.

Carroll wrapped up three days on the witness stand on Monday as the judge in the civil case, Lewis Kaplan, denied a defense motion for a mistrial on the grounds that he had made pervasive unfair and prejudicial rulings" against Trump's team during its cross-examination of the former president's accuser.