The first potential #juror that is being questioned this morning says she has previously worked as a #law clerk for the federal government & has discussed the #legal merits of this case w/many of her coworkers. Justice #Merchan asks if that would influence her if she’s chosen for the jury. She paused before saying she could be fair, but then added: “It is hard to unring a bell.” [no doubt. I couldn’t be on this #jury]
#TrumpTrial🧵 cont’d
One prospective #juror said he only reads the New York Post & the New York Daily News. In other words, he's a NY unicorn.
At another point he said he only has a flip phone. "And therefore I do not *watch* any podcasts," he says, elliciting laughter.
The man says he has no friends or family who have been convicted of a #crime, but quickly amends his answer, more loudly, to no "close friends."
They brought back previously mentioned #juror4, who they were concerned misrepresented his arrest history when answering the questionnaire.
The reported conversation was odd given that he was accused of lying. His answers appeared to make defense atty, Todd Blanche, laugh. #Trump leaned in closer to listen. The juror explained something at length, gesticulating & setting off more laughter. Judge #Merchan did not look amused. The conversation ended & the juror was escorted from the room.
There was a long sidebar, #Trump was alone & quiet at the defense table, as the lawyers determined the juror’s fate.
They brought #juror4 back in.
The juror spoke to the lawyers. If he were to remain on the jury, the lawyers will know this juror better than they know any others, due to all of this interaction.
Merchan tapped the microphone then stated he was excusing juror 4.
Trump reportedly looked annoyed at the decision.
#Jurors are often excused by the dozens during selection, & even if someone is picked, it is not guaranteed that they'll serve. But losing 2 previously seated jurors in one day, isn’t great.
Justice #Merchan said Tues that given the rate they were seating jurors, opening arguments could begin as soon as Mon morning. We’ll see.
Merchan says that more prospective jurors will answer the questionaire before lunch. Attys on both sides will then each question the group.
It’s probably safe to say that few, if any, judges have had to deal w/the array of #threats to #their trial that Justice #Merchan has had to. Besides #Trump himself, who constantly tests the boundaries of his #GagOrder, there are his allies who attacking the judge & his family & who aren’t covered by the gag order. Then there’s the #media who has been putting potentially identifying info about prospective #jurors on TV.
#criminal #law #intimidation #harassment #JuryTampering #TrumpTrial
In a brief interview outside the courtroom, #juror4 who was just dismissed declined to give his name & said he didn’t want to answer questions. But nodded when asked if he thought he could be unbiased & shook his head when asked if he felt at all intimidated in the courtroom.
Asked if he thought he should have been dismissed, he gave a one-word answer: “Nope.”
#Trump #criminal #law #JurySelection #JuryTampering #TrumpTrial
recap/summary:
A total of 7 jurors had been seated on Tues.
2 of the 7 have now been dismissed. No one yet has been newly selected.
So we are down to just 5 seated jurors.
Lawyers on both sides of the case must now replace the 2 — & find several more.
But >½ of a fresh group of 96 prospective jurors were dismissed almost immediately, including 48 who indicated that they did not believe they could be fair & impartial.
#Trump #criminal #law #JurySelection #JuryTampering #TrumpTrial
If you’re curious here’s the jury questionnaire:
https://static01.nyt.com/newsgraphics/documenttools/47595cfb3308e37e/ec756167-full.pdf
#Trump #criminal #law #JurySelection #JuryTampering #TrumpTrial
#TrumpTrial #jurors’ concerns
#JurySelection began w/a sworn in juror getting dismissed over doxxing concerns.
“I definitely have concerns now. One of them especially being the aspects of my identity have already been out there in public. Yesterday alone I had friends, colleagues & family push things to my phone regarding questioning my identity as a juror.”
#Trump #law #crime #intimidation #JuryTampering
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/04/18/trump-hush-money-trial-live-updates/