A full jury has been selected to sit for former President Donald Trump’s first criminal trial in New York. Once alternate jurors have been selected, opening arguments are expected to commence in the historic trial. This is the first time a former U.S. President has been the defendant in a criminal trial.
Overview of the Criminal Allegations
The criminal trial in New York involves alleged hush money payments in advance of the 2016 Presidential Election.
Key Witnesses Expected
The trial is likely to feature bombshell testimony from ex-Trump lawyer Michael Cohen and pornographic artist Stormy Daniels.
Charges and Accusations
The trial will probe into accusations that Trump and his associates committed business and financial fraud to cover up an affair and preserve a particular public image leading up to the 2016 election, which Trump went on to win.
Juror Demographics and Selection
Twelve jurors have been selected to represent a range of the public to provide unbiased judgment in the criminal trial. The jurors come from a variety of backgrounds, demographics, and ideologies.
Historical Context and Timing
The ethos around the trial feels very historic, as the timeline of the trial overlaps and intersects the most frenzied months of political campaigning and fundraising in the lead-up to the 2024 presidential election.
Details on Juror Identities
The selected jurors include seven men and five women from Manhattan. The first five jurors selected Wednesday include an Irish sales professional who will serve as the foreman, a corporate lawyer, an educator, a software engineer, and a civil litigation attorney.
More Details on Juror Identities
The seven jurors selected Thursday include an investment banker, a security engineer with three children, a Lebanese retiree who enjoys fly fishing, a speech therapist, an eyewear company employee, a California native product developer, and a physical therapist who enjoys tennis and paddle boarding.
Media and Juror Privacy Concerns
Little else is known about the jurors, as the judge scolded the media for divulging too much identifying information about the selected jurors, such as their employers’ names.
Concerns of Intimidation and Public Response
Parties are concerned that the public may attempt to intimidate the jurors or that Trump may publicly attack them, as he has done with judges and witnesses so far in the case.
Prior Concerns With Finding Unbiased Jurors
The first week of jury selection saw setbacks with the dismissal of jurors for admitted or potential biases that would impact the ability of the juror to be impartial.
Five Remaining Alternative Jurors Are Needed
Judge Juan Merchan has stated the desire to have six additional jurors as alternates to engage as needed.
Holding Trump In Contempt
Prosecutors have requested that Trump be held in contempt of court for posting up to seven social media posts this week, referencing content or personalities involved in the criminal case. This may be the next order up for review from Judge Merchan, following the selection of the alternative jurors.
Opening Arguments and Docket for Witnesses
Once the opening arguments are made as early as next week, testimony will begin and is expected to feature unflattering accounts of Trump’s personal life before he was elected to public office.
Witness Testimony
The prosecution’s witnesses are expected to testify that Trump falsified business records to suppress negative press stories in 2016.
