[ad_1]
Seven people have been selected as jurors in the hush money trial against former President Donald Trump in Manhattan. The court was not in session Wednesday, and jury selection will continue Thursday until a panel of 12 New Yorkers and possibly six alternates are chosen.
But before anyone was seated Tuesday, jurors went through a questioning phase in which they were asked questions from the district attorney’s office and Mr. Trump’s lawyers. While jurors were speaking, Trump was often seen leaning back in his chair and flipping through jury questionnaires.
President Trump’s lawyer, Todd Blanche, objected to several potential jurors and asked that some be removed because of social media posts.
Remember: Both sides have 10 mandatory strikes to remove a juror from the pool, no questions asked. If either side is successful in rejecting a potential juror for cause, there is no need to strike.
The prosecution and defense each made six preemptive attacks. This means each team has his four attacks left.
Challenges include:
- Mr. Trump’s team found that prospective jurors had posted social media posts referring to Mr. Trump with phrases such as “get rid of him” and “lock him up,” and Judge Juan Machan used the language as a reason to ban the jury. The candidate for membership was rejected.
- Marchan attacked another potential juror who admitted in March to reposting a negative AI video about Trump. Trump’s lawyers also pointed to posts in which prospective jurors shared photos of display stands with posters of Biden and Harris and sold buttons supporting political groups seeking votes.
- Trump’s team challenged another potential juror in 2018 over posts on his Facebook page. She said Trump told her that “she doesn’t bother me.” Marchan said the prospective juror was honest about her disagreements with Trump and denied her objections.
Who are the jurors? Oncology nurses, corporate lawyers, and English teachers: What we know about the seven jurors.
Trump and the judge: Marchand gave the former president a stern warning for reacting visibly and audibly to a potential juror in court. After potential jurors left their seats, the judge said, “We will not intimidate jurors in the courtroom.”
Future prospects: The next 96 potential jurors were sworn in Tuesday and dismissed until Thursday morning.
[ad_2]
Source link
