The jury selection process in former President Donald Trump’s New York criminal trial has been described as “unprecedented” by former federal prosecutor Glenn Kirschner. The trial, which involves Trump facing 34 felony counts related to a payment to adult-film actress Stormy Daniels, began with seven jurors and alternates selected in Manhattan. Kirschner noted some “unusual” moments during jury selection, including New York State Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan dismissing potential jurors who indicated they could not be impartial toward Trump, a move Kirschner said he had never seen before.
Kirschner highlighted the dismissal of potential jurors who expressed bias toward Trump, stating that this was not a common practice in jury selection. He praised Judge Merchan’s decision not to attempt to “rehabilitate” such jurors, given that seven people had already been selected for the jury at a fast pace. The selection of two lawyers as jurors was also deemed “unusual” by Kirschner, who argued that lawyers could make good jurors due to their understanding of the legal process and ability to guide others away from engaging in speculation and hypotheticals.
Despite criticism from Trump’s spokesperson Steven Cheung, Kirschner expressed optimism about the trial and Merchan’s performance, stating that the proceedings would be a step toward holding the former president accountable. Kirschner believed that the trial was moving quickly and efficiently, with a strong possibility of delivering justice in this case. He emphasized the importance of upholding the principle that no one is above the law, regardless of their position or status.
The swift progress of the jury selection process and Merchan’s decisions during the trial were seen as positive steps by Kirschner, who commended the judge for his approach. Kirschner’s assessment of the trial indicated that it was being conducted in a fair and efficient manner, with a focus on ensuring that impartial jurors were selected to hear the case. The involvement of lawyers as jurors, while uncommon, was seen as a potentially beneficial aspect of the trial due to their legal knowledge and ability to guide the jury toward making evidence-based decisions.
Overall, the jury selection process in Trump’s New York criminal trial has been marked by unique and unprecedented moments, according to Kirschner. The focus on ensuring an impartial jury, the swift pace of selection, and the decisions made by Judge Merchan were all factors contributing to a sense of optimism and confidence in the trial. Despite criticisms and challenges, Kirschner believed that the proceedings signaled progress toward holding Trump accountable and upholding the rule of law, emphasizing the importance of a fair and just legal process in this high-profile case.
