As former President Donald Trump’s criminal hush money trial continues, the potential bias of jurors is being closely scrutinized, with two jurors already excused and the possibility of sequestration looming. If Judge Juan Merchan decides to sequester the jury, its members would be housed in a hotel with limited access to the outside world. While some experts doubt sequestration will happen, others believe it could shield the jury from outside influences, especially given the high-profile nature of the case involving a former president and potential presidential candidate.
Despite the potential benefits of sequestration, the decision ultimately lies with the trial judge, and it is not clear whether the jury will be sequestered during the trial. Sequestration could have negative effects on the jury, including increased stress and potentially influencing their verdict. A study found that the negative impacts of sequestration often outweigh its benefits, and it can be a costly and stressful experience for jurors. New York state law gives the trial judge the discretion to decide whether to sequester the jury, and it is not a mandatory requirement.
Jurors in New York are compensated $40 per day for their service, unless they already earn over $40 per day or work for a company with over 10 employees, in which case they may be compensated differently. With six seated jurors remaining, six more jurors will need to be seated before the trial can proceed. Trump can expect to see a number of former associates and family members as potential witnesses, including Stormy Daniels, Rudy Giuliani, Michael Cohen, Trump’s family and Melania Trump. If Trump takes the stand, he may face questions about his separate fraud case in New York and a defamation case with writer E. Jean Carroll.
Trump was indicted last March on 34 felony counts related to falsifying business records, with the central issue being a $420,000 payment to Michael Cohen before the 2016 election. Prosecutors allege the payment was a reimbursement for Cohen’s hush money payment to Stormy Daniels. Trump has pleaded not guilty to the charges and has criticized the case as a witch hunt. The trial is being closely watched as it could have implications for Trump’s political future and could shed more light on his past business dealings and personal life. The jury selection process and potential sequestration will play a crucial role in ensuring a fair trial for all parties involved.
