A jury of 12 New Yorkers has been seated in former President Donald Trump’s historic hush money trial in Manhattan. The verdict came after two authorized jurors were dismissed on Thursday morning and seven new jurors were selected by afternoon.
The jury consists of seven men and five women.
The court is currently working to select up to six alternates. So far he has seated one person. Judge Juan Melchan said he expected the process to be completed on Friday.
Here’s what you need to know to get up to speed.
Seated juror leaves:
- One juror expressed concern that part of his identity had been published by the media and was dismissed. The judge then ruled that the media could not publish jurors’ answers to questions about their current or former employers.
- The second juror was excused at the request of prosecutors. He questioned the truthfulness of his answers to questions from his lawyer on Tuesday.
Lawyers continue questioning.
- The day began with a panel of 96 potential jurors. The number was whittled down to 38 after half were immediately fired for failing to maintain fairness and impartiality, and a further nine were fired for other disputes. Additional prospective jurors were also dismissed after completing the questionnaire.
- Afterwards, the 18 jurors received additional questioning from their lawyers in the jury box.
- Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass first asked if he thought prosecutors had to prove more “because the defendant is Donald Trump.” He also urged prospective jurors to make sure they could look Trump in the eye and say “guilty” if their case is proven.
- President Trump’s lawyer Susan Necheres said anyone who has a problem with the idea that someone is lying when “two witnesses get on this stand and say two diametrically opposed things under oath.” I asked if he was there. She also directly asked one potential juror whether she had posted about Trump on social media.
Jurors are excused for cause:
- After their lawyers finished their questioning, both sides filed an objection to have some prospective jurors removed for just cause and avoid having to use coercion.
- The judge dismissed two potential jurors for cause. One admitted he didn’t think he was being fair, and the other had posted negatively about Trump on social media.
- The judge denied a request to dismiss a potential juror who said he knew Necheres.
- Both the prosecution and defense used all kinds of coercive attacks.
Trump in court: The former president swiveled in his chair to face the jury box as his lawyers asked questions. He tilted his head and looked out at the jury as several prospective jurors said they either disagreed with Trump’s policies or disliked him in general.
tomorrow: Machan has been sworn in to serve on a new panel of jurors whose alternate selection will continue on Friday.
Gag order: Meanwhile, prosecutors say Trump violated the gag order seven more times, calling the situation “ridiculous” in reference to online posts. The order was issued in late March to prevent President Trump from making statements about witnesses, jurors, prosecutors, court staff, or family members of prosecutors and court staff. Mr Marchand is scheduled to hold a hearing on the matter next Tuesday.
