Legal Action and Claims
The Central Park Five, now known as the , filed a defamation lawsuit against , alleging his statements during a presidential debate were false and defamatory.
Trump's remarks, claiming the men pleaded guilty and caused a death, were factually incorrect. The Exonerated Five were teenagers when wrongfully convicted, maintained their innocence, and were later exonerated.
Response and Context
Trump's campaign dismissed the lawsuit as frivolous and politically motivated, while the Exonerated Five seek compensation for reputational damage and emotional distress.
The Central Park Five's case, highlighting racial injustices, received widespread attention, especially after DNA evidence in 2002 linked another man to the crime, leading to a settlement with New York .