Concerns Over Jury Confidentiality Arise in Trump's Criminal Trial Selection Process

A juror in Trump's trial was excused due to public identification concerns, while new Manhattan residents undergo assessment for jury selection.

On Thursday, a woman selected to participate in former President Donald Trump's criminal trial in New York expressed apprehensions about being publicly identified and questioned her ability to remain impartial. The juror, who had been chosen only two days prior, voiced her concerns after friends and family approached her about her role as a juror, based on media reports about those who had been selected. She conveyed to the court, "Aspects of my identity have already been out there in public. Yesterday alone, I had friends and family push things to me," and she continued, "I don't think at this point that I can be fair and unbiased."

Judge Juan Merchan reprimanded the press for divulging what he deemed excessive details about the jurors. He stated that inquiries about potential jurors' employers would be expunged from the court record moving forward, and instructed reporters not to mention jurors' physical appearance.

Prosecutors also expressed unease about another juror already selected, as they uncovered information about someone sharing the person's name who was arrested and potentially involved in a corruption investigation in the 1990s. A decision on whether to excuse this juror was deferred until facing inquiries when present at court.

Day 3 of Jury Selection

Former President Donald Trump attended his criminal trial as jury selection continued at Manhattan Criminal Court on April 18, 2024. A new group of 96 Manhattan residents filled the courtroom on Thursday, as attorneys endeavored to fill the remaining six slots on the jury, along with half a dozen alternates.

Out of the new group, 48 individuals expressed their inability to be impartial and were promptly excused. Additionally, nine others were excused for undisclosed reasons. The remaining potential jurors will undergo a 42-question assessment aimed at uncovering their sentiments regarding Trump and their capability to impartially decide the outcome of this unprecedented criminal trial.

Further Jury Selection Details

Prior to this, a smaller group that passed the initial screening was individually interviewed as attorneys' consultants delved into their online presence. Some individuals were confronted by Trump's legal team with social media posts dating back years before being excused.

Each side in the case is allowed 10 peremptory challenges, which enable them to excuse a potential juror without explanation. Moreover, an unlimited number of "for cause" challenges are permitted, necessitating the judge's approval. With the new batch of 96 Manhattanites considered on Thursday, each side has four peremptory challenges remaining. They will also have five more peremptory challenges when selecting the six alternates.

The Case Against Trump

More than a year ago, Trump pleaded not guilty to 34 felony counts of falsification of business records. He refutes all accusations in the case, which focuses on reimbursements to former attorney Michael Cohen for a "hush money" payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels. According to prosecutors, Trump obscured the reimbursements to distance himself from the payment, which temporarily bought Daniels' silence about an alleged affair days before the 2016 presidential election. Trump has vehemently denied the affair and has decried the case, alleging that he is being politically targeted by prosecutors. Despite his frequent social media criticism of the judge, Trump has been relatively subdued in the courtroom.

Judge Merchan cautioned Trump on Tuesday regarding his behavior during the trial, specifically addressing his conduct while a juror was being questioned about a social media post. Merchan stated, "I won't tolerate that. I will not have any jurors intimidated in this courtroom. I want to make that crystal clear."

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