Prosecutors and attorneys for former President Donald Trump will meet a new cohort of Manhattan residents Thursday, when they enter the third day of jury selection in his New York criminal trial.
Seven New Yorkers were selected on Tuesday to serve as jurors in the first criminal trial of a former president in U.S. history. They were part of an initial batch of 96 residents who were asked, in bulk, if they could be impartial while deciding a case involving Trump. More than half of that group said they could not and were immediately excused. The remaining people were whittled down through questioning from lawyers and the judge, Juan Merchan.
Some had scheduling issues that might conflict with serving on a trial that could last up to two months, while others later concluded — after spending hours in the room with Trump and hearing about the case — that they, too, couldn't be impartial. More than two dozen answered, one at a time and out loud, a 42-question assessment designed to help the lawyers glean their feelings about Trump and ability to fairly decide the case.
During the jury selection process, a smaller group was individually questioned by lawyers who examined their online presence. Some potential jurors were dismissed after Trump's attorneys presented social media posts from years ago. Each side is allowed 10 peremptory challenges, giving them the right to dismiss a juror without explanation. Additionally, there are unlimited "for cause" challenges for clear conflicts.
As a new group of 96 Manhattan residents is set for consideration, there are still five jurors to be selected. Both sides have four peremptory challenges remaining. In addition to the main jurors, up to six alternate jurors will be chosen, and each side will receive five more peremptory challenges during this process.
Trump pleaded not guilty to 34 felony counts of falsification of business records over a year ago. He has consistently denied any wrongdoing in the case, which involves payments to his former lawyer Michael Cohen for a "hush money" deal with Stormy Daniels. Prosecutors claim Trump concealed the reimbursements to distance himself from the payment, which was made days before the 2016 election to keep Daniels quiet about an alleged affair. Trump has vehemently denied the affair as well.
Throughout the legal proceedings, Trump has criticized the case, alleging political motivations behind the charges. He has also taken to social media to attack the judge, accusing bias. However, inside the courtroom, Trump has maintained a mostly quiet and composed demeanor, occasionally appearing to doze off.
Despite this, Merchan felt the need to caution Trump on Tuesday regarding "audibly uttering something … speaking in the direction of the juror" while being questioned about a social media post.
"I will not stand for that. I refuse to allow any jurors to feel intimidated in this courtroom. I want to emphasize that point," Merchan stated.
