NEW YORK, United States: The judge warned the Republican presidential hopeful, Donald Trump against intimidating jurors on Tuesday as six panelists were chosen with unexpected speed following questioning by both sides in the historic criminal trial.
No other former president of the United States has faced a criminal trial and the pressure is high on both sides to get a dozen jurors able to sit in judgment of Donald Trump who is running to return to the White House at the end of 2024.
After a preliminary phase in which potential jurors could recuse themselves if they thought it was unfair or there were mitigating circumstances, defence attorneys and prosecutors began questioning the original 12-member panel.
Six jurors were admitted and sworn in by the end of Tuesday and told they don’t have to return to court until Monday, when the judge begins his opening remarks.
A jury must vote unanimously to convict Trump of fraud in a scheme to cover up a scandalous extramarital affair with a porn star. Even if one juror dissents, they would see Trump walk free.
The process, which had been expected to take as long as two weeks, appeared to pick up pace on Tuesday, with six other jurors still to be selected. Another six alternates would also be selected.
At one point, Judge Juan Merchan warned Trump that his muttering could be heard by a juror who was being scrutinized for social media posts.
“I will not have any jurors intimidated in this courtroom,” Judge Merchan said, requesting the defence lawyers speak to the former president.
Merchan also ordered Trump, 77, to be in court daily, putting a major hitch in his campaigning plans.
“I should be right now in Pennsylvania and Florida — in many other states, North Carolina, Georgia — campaigning,” the presidential hopeful said in angry remarks outside the court. He called the judge “Trump-hating.”
A day earlier, more than half of the first batch of 96 potential jurors were excused after signaling they could not be impartial.
If convicted, Donald Trump would potentially face prison, but legal observers say fines would be more likely.
