In the Manhattan hush money trial of former President Donald Trump, a 12-person jury was finalized despite some tumultuous events during the selection process. Trump referred to the trial as a “scam” and said the whole world was watching this “hoax.” Two jurors were booted from the panel earlier in the day, but seven more were quickly selected to take their place, including individuals from various backgrounds such as a retired wealth manager, speech therapist, and eyewear company employee.
During the selection process, Trump came in contact with many potential jurors, including a law enforcement veteran who is a fan of the New York Rangers and a reader of tabloid newspapers. Two female jurors expressed unfavorable opinions of Trump but were still selected to serve on the jury after confirming that they could decide the case based on facts rather than personal feelings. The seven new jurors added to the panel have diverse backgrounds, from an investment banker to retirees and city workers.
The five remaining jurors from Tuesday’s selections are a mix of professionals, including a corporate lawyer, city teacher, software engineer, and civil lawyer. All of them have their own interests and backgrounds, with one expressing admiration for Trump’s candidness. The foreperson of the jury is an unmarried man originally from Ireland who works in sales in West Harlem, providing a mix of perspectives among the jurors.
Additional alternates were chosen to provide backups during the trial, with Trump set to return to court for the completion of the alternate selection process. The trial is scheduled to begin with opening statements on Monday and is expected to last for approximately six weeks. Trump is facing charges of falsifying business records related to the hush money payments made to Stormy Daniels in the lead up to the 2016 election to conceal an alleged affair.
Key witnesses in the trial are expected to include Trump’s former lawyer Michael Cohen and Stormy Daniels, with both likely to testify against the former president. Prosecutors have requested the judge to fine Trump and issue a warning regarding his social media posts related to the trial, as they may violate a gag order. The judge has prohibited Trump from discussing witnesses, jurors, and court staff, including the families of the judge and prosecutors. The trial will proceed as planned with the selected jurors and alternates, representing a diverse group of individuals.
