(New York, NY) – A jury of 12 individuals was selected Thursday for the trial of former President Donald Trump, marking a significant step towards the commencement of opening statements and subsequent weeks of testimony.
Following the seating of the main jury, attention turned to selecting alternate jurors, with the process expected to conclude by the week’s end. Prosecutors are poised to present their case early next week. The jury comprises a diverse group of Manhattan residents, including professionals from various backgrounds such as sales, software engineering, security, education, and finance.
This historic trial, the first-ever of a former American president, unfolds in New York against the backdrop of the current White House race. The proceedings promise to delve into sensitive and potentially damaging aspects of Trump’s personal life while he simultaneously campaigns to regain the presidency. Trump has indicated his intention to leverage his legal challenges, already a focal point in the race against Democratic incumbent Joe Biden, to his advantage. Following a full day of jury selection, Trump expressed dissatisfaction with the trial, labeling it as “very unfair” and attracting global attention as a “New York scam.”
Earlier on Thursday, the jury selection process encountered delays as two jurors were dismissed—one expressing concerns about fairness and the other over potential inaccuracies in his responses. However, the remaining jurors, along with alternates, were swiftly chosen, aligning with Judge Juan Merchan’s goal of securing six alternates. Given the defendant’s high-profile status, prospective jurors underwent extensive scrutiny regarding their social media presence, personal beliefs, and political affiliations to ensure impartiality. Several jurors admitted to holding opinions about Trump or his presidency.
The trial centers on a $130,000 payment made by Trump’s former lawyer, Michael Cohen, to adult film actress Stormy Daniels to silence her allegations of a sexual encounter with Trump before the 2016 election. Prosecutors argue that Trump concealed the true nature of these payments in internal records, while Trump’s defense maintains they were legitimate legal expenses. Trump faces 34 felony counts of falsifying business records, with a potential sentence of up to four years in prison if convicted. However, the likelihood of imprisonment remains uncertain, and any conviction would likely be subject to appeal.
While Trump faces multiple criminal cases, the timing of their trials in relation to the November election remains unclear. Legal proceedings in other cases, including charges related to attempts to overturn the 2020 election results and unlawful retention of classified documents, have been delayed due to appeals and legal disputes.
