Key Takeaways:

• A federal judge has ruled that President Trump must face a defamation lawsuit from the Central Park Five.
• The lawsuit is linked to Trump's comments during the 2024 presidential campaign debate.
• The Central Park Five were wrongfully convicted and later exonerated after serving time for a crime they did not commit.
• Trump's statements have been deemed by the court as "objectively false."
• Compensatory and punitive damages are being sought by the plaintiffs.

A federal judge has dismissed President Donald Trump's attempt to end a defamation lawsuit from the five men known as the Central Park Five. The ruling, issued by U.S. District Judge Wendy Beetlestone, allows the plaintiffs – Yusef Salaam, Antron McCray, Kevin Richardson, Raymond Santana, and Korey Wise – to proceed with their claims stemming from Trump's statements made during a presidential debate on September 10, 2024.

The plaintiffs assert that Trump's claims, which suggested they had "pleaded guilty" and "killed a person," are false. This lawsuit, filed last October, seeks unspecified monetary damages for reputational and emotional harm after the men were wrongfully convicted of a 1989 rape of a white jogger in New York City's Central Park. The men spent years in prison before their convictions were vacated in 2002 when DNA evidence confirmed their innocence.

Judge Beetlestone stated that Trump's remarks could be "objectively determined" to be false and thus do not warrant the dismissal of the case. Trump's defense team claimed that he was echoing an opinion rather than stating facts, arguing that his comments were legally protected under the First Amendment. However, the court ruled differently, highlighting the potential harm caused by such false statements made publicly during a debate that attracted millions of viewers.

In her ruling, the judge allowed the lawsuit to move forward while dismissing a claim that alleged Trump had intentionally inflicted emotional distress on the men. Upon hearing about the court's decision, their attorney, Shanin Specter, expressed satisfaction, stating they look forward to proving the case in court and attaining vindication for the plaintiffs.

Trump's legal team has branded the lawsuit as "frivolous," emphasizing their belief it aims to stifle political discourse and reflecting ongoing concerns surrounding the First Amendment rights of public figures. The Central Park Five continue to advocate for justice and the clearing of their names from past wrongful accusations.

For more details on the ruling, check the full articles from LA Times, The Hill, and CBS News.