During a recent court proceeding, Judge Juan Merchan expressed concern over a question posed by former president's attorney Todd Blanche to potential jurors. The question in question was, 'What is your opinion of Donald Trump?' Judge Merchan pointed out that this question could be interpreted as asking whether the jurors like or dislike Donald Trump, based on superficial factors such as his appearance, manner of speaking, or his role as president.
By highlighting the problematic nature of this question, Judge Merchan emphasized the importance of ensuring that jurors are selected based on their ability to be impartial and fair in their judgment. Asking about personal opinions of a public figure could potentially bias the jury selection process and undermine the principles of a fair trial.
This incident serves as a reminder of the careful considerations that must be made during the jury selection process to uphold the integrity of the legal system. Judges play a crucial role in overseeing the fairness of proceedings and ensuring that all parties involved receive a fair trial.