Jury selection is underway in New York for the criminal trial of former President Donald Trump, with court officials expecting about 500 new jurors to appear daily in Manhattan. Prospective jurors will be vetted in groups of about 100 by Judge Juan Merchan, with 12 jurors and 6 alternates ultimately chosen to consider the 34 counts of falsifying business records against Trump. Both the prosecution and defense will have the opportunity to strike potential jurors from the pool.
Prospective jurors for Trump’s trial will complete a questionnaire that includes a wide range of questions, such as their news sources, affiliations with groups like the Proud Boys or QAnon, and attendance at Trump rallies. Questions about political party affiliation and voting history have been excluded from the questionnaire at the judge’s discretion. Jurors will also be asked about their feelings towards Trump, any personal connections to him, and their exposure to certain individuals and social media platforms related to the case.
Judge Merchan has stated that prospective jurors who feel they are unable to serve on the panel will be dismissed without further questioning, despite a request from Trump’s attorneys for individual questioning. Previous trials involving Trump, such as the tax fraud trial and civil trials with E. Jean Carroll, have also examined jurors’ opinions about Trump and their associations with fringe groups. Merchan has decided not to inquire about jurors’ beliefs regarding the outcome of the 2020 election during the selection process for this trial.
To protect the privacy and safety of the jurors, their identifying information will remain anonymous. Merchan has issued a gag order prohibiting Trump from making public comments about jurors involved in the trial. A sketch artist will be present in the courtroom during selection, but they are instructed not to sketch jurors’ faces. Media coverage of the proceedings will be limited, with only a few reporters allowed in the courtroom to observe questioning, while others will view the process from an overflow room.
Overall, the jury selection process for Trump’s criminal trial in New York is proceeding with careful consideration of prospective jurors’ backgrounds, opinions, and potential biases to ensure a fair and impartial panel is chosen. Despite the high-profile nature of the case and media interest, steps are being taken to protect jurors’ privacy and limit any potential influence or intimidation. It remains to be seen how the final panel will be selected and how their interpretations of the evidence will impact the outcome of the trial.
