Jury selection in Donald Trump’s hush money business fraud case began with initial struggles but ultimately resulted in a full jury being seated by the end of the day. The trial, which marks the first criminal trial of a former president in US history, will have five alternates selected on Friday. However, the trial is expected to face obstacles, as the Manhattan district attorney’s office has decided not to reveal the first witnesses to the defense to prevent Trump from posting about them on social media. Additionally, a hearing regarding what prosecutors can say about Trump’s legal history is likely to take place on Friday.
After Trump’s attorneys and the district attorney’s office used up their 10 peremptory strikes to remove jurors, the process of jury selection moved swiftly. The judge rejected Trump’s challenges to remove jurors for cause based on negative opinions about the former president, stating that not liking his persona was not a sufficient reason for removal. The final seated jury includes seven men and five women, with a diverse range of professions among the newly selected jurors, such as an investment banker, a security engineer, a retired wealth manager, a speech therapist, and a physical therapist.
The jury pool was significantly reduced on Thursday from a second panel of 96 prospective jurors, as nearly 50 individuals stated they could not be fair and impartial, while nine had conflicts preventing them from serving. Despite initial setbacks, the completion of the jury selection process marks a major step towards beginning the trial, which is expected to be turbulent. With only five alternates left to be selected on Friday, the trial is likely to face ongoing challenges and legal battles, particularly around the disclosure of witnesses and discussions of Trump’s legal history.
The trial’s commencement date, which had been in jeopardy due to initial jury selection struggles, now appears to be on track for opening arguments as planned. While challenges and obstacles are expected throughout the trial, the completion of the jury selection process has provided a foundation for moving forward. The diverse composition of the seated jury reflects a range of backgrounds and perspectives that will play a crucial role in evaluating the evidence and reaching a verdict in the case against Trump. As the trial progresses, further legal battles and disputes are anticipated, underscoring the complex nature of this historic criminal trial.
