MORE than 50 potential jurors were excused from former president Donald Trump’s historic trial, following they said they would not be able to try him fairly and impartially.
In a court in New York, 96 potential jurors were assembled to screen their ability to fairly try Trump, who is accused of covering up hush money payments to a porn star with whom he is alleged to have had an affair.
One potential juror, a woman with short hair, said “I just can’t do it” as she left court, which was adjourned for the day and will resume at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday.
At least nine other potential jurors were excused, following raising their hands when Judge Juan Merchan asked if they were unable to serve for other reasons.
A random group of 18 potential jurors was taken through pre-agreed screening questions, which covered their education, news habits, hobbies and ability to be impartial.
Merchan has said there is a pool of up to 500 Manhattan residents from which the court might draw jurors who would try one of the world’s most famous and controversial men.
Also read: Donald Trump’s historic bribery criminal trial will begin in New York
Jurors will have to answer questionnaires including checks on whether they have ever been members of far-right groups associated with Trump.
More than a dozen court officers were stationed around the courtroom in Manhattan as the proceedings took place. Trump turned his neck to look at potential jurors.
The selection of the 12 jurors – who were granted anonymity to protect them from the risk of bribery or even physical harm – is expected to be a complicated process.
Also read: Stormy Daniels, the porn star behind Donald Trump’s first criminal trial
This might take up to two weeks, according to one of Trump’s lawyers.
The Republican presidential candidate is accused of falsifying business records in a scheme to cover up an alleged extramarital sexual encounter with adult film actress Stormy Daniels to protect his first election campaign, in 2016, from sudden turmoil.
He faces three other criminal cases centered on his retention of classified documents following leaving office and an allegedly unprecedented effort to overturn his 2020 election loss to President Joe Biden. (AFP/Z-3)
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