The landmark criminal trial of a former US president, Donald Trump, is set to start with opening statements on Monday. Judge Juan Merchan expedited the jury selection process, finalizing a pool of 18 jurors by Friday afternoon. This includes 12 jurors and six alternates who will determine the outcome of the New York hush money case.
Despite initial estimates suggesting that jury selection could extend into a second week, Judge Merchan managed to secure enough prospective jurors who pledged impartiality. This eliminated the need to resort to a third panel of approximately 100 reserve jurors on Friday.
Trump, whose legal team sought to delay the trial, expressed dissatisfaction with the judge’s pace. He stated, “The trial starts on Monday, which is long before a lot of people thought. The judge wants this to go as fast as possible. That’s for his reasons, not for my reasons.”
Jury Selection Concludes
Friday saw the addition of four women and one man as alternates for the case. These individuals will be present throughout the trial and will only join the jury if one or more of the 12 jurors are excused. The final additions to the jury include a diverse range of professions and backgrounds, from a Spanish woman to a New York native martial arts enthusiast.
All 18 jurors will convene for the first time on Monday morning when the trial commences. The selection process was characterized by intense questioning from both prosecutors and Trump’s attorneys, focusing on the jurors’ perceptions of Trump and their ability to accept testimony from controversial witnesses.
Emotional Moments During Jury Selection
The jury selection process was not without emotional moments. Two potential jurors expressed their inability to serve due to high levels of stress and anxiety. Their excusal underscores the immense pressure associated with adjudicating a case involving a former president.
Trump’s Legal Team Continues to Seek Trial Delay
Despite the seating of a jury, Trump’s legal team continues to attempt to halt the trial. They filed a new motion on Friday, requesting an appeals court to temporarily halt the trial until a decision is made on Trump’s appeal to move the trial venue out of Manhattan.
Opening Statements Set for Monday
Despite attempts to delay, the trial will proceed with opening statements on Monday. The trial will delve into details about Trump’s alleged affair and the hush-money payment made prior to the 2016 election. On Tuesday, a hearing on Trump’s alleged gag order violations is scheduled.