New York:
More than 50 prospective jurors were excused from former President Donald Trump’s landmark trial on Monday because they said they could not give him a fair and impartial trial.
Ninety-six potential panelists gathered at a New York courthouse to be screened to assess their ability to judge Trump impartially. Trump is accused of covering up a hush-money payment to a porn star with whom he allegedly had an affair.
One female prospective juror with short hair said “I can’t do it” as she left the courtroom.
When Judge Juan Mercand asked at least nine other prospective jurors if they were otherwise unable to serve, they raised their hands and were excused.
Merchant said the court could select a jury from as many as 500 Manhattan residents for the trial of arguably one of the world’s most famous and controversial men.
Jurors must answer a questionnaire that includes a check on whether they are members of far-right groups with ties to Trump.
More than a dozen court officials were stationed around the Manhattan courtroom as the proceedings progressed and Trump craned his neck to see prospective jurors.
Selection of the 12 jurors is expected to be a tortuous process. The judge asked them to remain anonymous to protect them from the risk of bribery or even physical harm.
One of Trump’s lawyers said the situation could last up to two weeks.
The Republican presidential candidate is accused of falsifying business records in an effort to cover up extramarital sex with adult film actress Stormy Daniels to protect his first 2016 campaign from eventual A moment of turmoil.
He faces three other criminal cases, centered on his hoarding of top-secret documents after leaving office and his alleged unprecedented attempt to overturn his 2020 election loss to President Joe Biden.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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