Twelve jurors have been selected for former President Donald Trump’s landmark criminal trial, with one alternate juror also chosen. Jury selection for an additional five alternates is set to continue tomorrow morning. This follows the dismissal of two jurors earlier on Thursday. The jury is comprised of seven men and five women.
Trump, who last April pleaded not guilty to a 34-count indictment, is accused of falsifying business records. This was allegedly done to hide a payment made by his then-attorney Michael Cohen to adult film actress Stormy Daniels, which was aimed at enhancing his 2016 presidential campaign prospects.
The first juror to initially be dismissed expressed her concerns about remaining unbiased. She reported receiving numerous texts from friends and family suggesting her identity had been compromised. The second juror was removed after concerns were raised by prosecutors about his honesty in responding to his jury questionnaire. They discovered an article linking him to a 1990s arrest for political vandalism.
Prosecutors have also accused Trump of violating a gag order several times and scheduled a hearing next week to discuss potential sanctions. They previously sought penalties against him for similar violations. Judge Juan Merchan has urged the media to avoid reporting physical descriptions of potential jurors to protect their privacy and has previously warned Trump against juror intimidation.
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According to ABC News:
- Juror No. 8 is a former wealth manager who moved to New York in the 1980s. He is originally from Lebanon.
- Juror No. 9 is a speech therapist who grew up in New Jersey.
- Juror No. 10 has lived in Murray Hill for six years and worked in commerce for an eyewear company.
- Juror No. 11 is originally from California and works as a production development manager for a multinational apparel company.
- Juror No. 12 is a physical therapist whose husband works as a coach for a professional sports team.
Selection of a jury has proved difficult, especially in the deep-blue borough of Manhattan where protestors regularly appear outside the district court to jeer the Republican as he enters each day. Inside the court, Judge Merchan has admonished Trump for muttering during interviews with potential jurors, at one point ordering defense attorneys to “control your client.
During the selection process, multiple people interviewed for the positions have described their animosity toward Trump or been called out for concealing old social media posts critical of the former president. Attorneys for Trump have stated that the odds of a fair trial under District Attorney Alvin Bragg are steep and that interviews with hundreds of individuals may be required.
Opening statements could start as early as Monday, said Judge Merchan, who has instructed the selected jurors to return to court at that time. Judge Merchan warned journalists against reporting the employers of potential jurors.
“I have the legal authority to do it,” he stated regarding his decision to block such media reports according to the New York Times.
Media lawyers, including representatives from The Times, are expected to seek further clarification on this directive. Trump, who denies any wrongdoing or having a relationship with Stormy Daniels could face up to four years in prison if convicted by the jury.
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