JUST IN: Trump to Face Defamation Lawsuit Over ‘Central Park Five’ Statements, Judge Rules

A couple of things here

Defimation isn't a criminal offense, this is a civil lawsuit. There is no conviction or guilt/innocence.

Second the previous ruling you're referring to had basically no chance of holding him accountable. Bc the courts moved so slowly (intentionally in some cases) Trump was able to delay any punishment enforcement until he was president, which then he'd be immune. The judge could have ordered different punishment then no punishment, but it just increases the chance of appeal and wasted time at that point.

Lastly the most likely outcome is the case stalls bc he is president (and thus has civil immunity [and technically criminal bc supreme Court nonsense but that's not important here]) and it would never go to trial.

The court system is messed up in a lot of ways, but it's still important to be honest where the failures and issues are in the system instead of blaming a judge that had no real choice in the matter.