Mon Sep 23 21:18:21 UTC 2024: ## Trump Supporters Mostly Cleared in Texas Voter Intimidation Trial
**AUSTIN, TEXAS** – A federal jury in Texas has largely dismissed voter intimidation allegations against six supporters of former President Donald Trump, who surrounded a Biden-Harris campaign bus on Interstate 35 days before the 2020 election.
The jury found only one of the six defendants liable for the incident. Eliazar Cisneros, whose car brushed against another vehicle as the group dubbed the “Trump Train” boxed in the bus, was ordered to pay the bus driver $10,000 in damages and $30,000 in punitive damages.
The lawsuit, filed by three people aboard the bus, including former Texas Democratic lawmaker Wendy Davis, alleged that the actions of the Trump supporters constituted political intimidation. The defendants, who were cleared of the allegations except for Cisneros, described the verdict as vindicating and a relief after a two-week trial.
While the jury’s decision to clear five of the defendants was met with disappointment by the plaintiffs, the bus driver, Tim Holloway, expressed gratitude that justice had been served in some capacity.
The incident occurred on October 30, 2020, the last day of early voting in Texas. The Biden-Harris campaign bus was traveling from San Antonio to Austin for an event when the “Trump Train” swarmed the bus, forcing it to slow to a crawl. Davis testified that she feared for her life during the ordeal, which included one defendant hitting a campaign volunteer’s car.
Despite repeated calls to 911 for a police escort, no assistance arrived, forcing the campaign to cancel an event in San Marcos.
The trial focused on whether the actions of the Trump supporters amounted to political intimidation. While no criminal charges were filed, the jury’s decision to hold Cisneros liable for the incident has reopened the conversation about the use of intimidation tactics in political campaigns. Cisneros’ attorney has indicated that they will appeal the verdict.
First Piper 