The much-anticipated criminal trial of a former US president, Donald Trump, commenced with the selection of a jury on Monday. Judge Juan Merchan efficiently navigated through a pool of approximately 200 potential jurors to finalize a jury pool of 18 individuals by midday Friday. Among them, 12 jurors and six alternates were sworn in to determine Trump's fate in the New York hush money case.
Key Takeaways from the Final Day of Jury Selection
The jury composition includes four women and one man who were appointed as five of the six alternates for the case. While they will be present throughout the trial, they will only join the jury if any of the 12 jurors are excused. Prosecutors focused on preparing jurors to accept testimony from challenging witnesses like Michael Cohen, whereas Trump's attorneys concentrated on gauging the jurors' opinions about Donald Trump.
During the final round of juror questioning, emotional moments were witnessed as some potential jurors expressed their inability to serve due to high anxiety or emotional distress. Despite these challenges, the jury selection process was successfully completed.
Trump's Legal Maneuvers
Trump's legal team made another attempt to halt the trial by filing a motion on Friday morning to appeal the venue of the hush money trial out of Manhattan. However, the motion was denied, and the trial is set to proceed as scheduled with opening statements on Monday.
Hearing on Gag Order Violations
Additionally, a hearing is scheduled for Tuesday to address Trump's alleged violations of a gag order through social media posts. Prosecutors are seeking penalties for these violations, emphasizing the importance of adhering to the court's directives.
Despite the legal maneuvers and emotional challenges faced during jury selection, the stage is now set for the commencement of the historic trial, marking a significant moment in US legal history.
