Trump faces hearing on possible testimony as court searches for alternate juror: Live

Several jurors who feel they can fairly decide the criminal case against Donald Trump all share personal anxieties and fears about potentially joining a panel of Manhattan residents who will decide the former president's fate. Some people do.

“I'm feeling very nervous and anxious right now. I'm sorry,” the prospective juror emotionally told Judge Juan Mercian on Friday.

Jurors sitting in a box just meters away from the former president, who is accused of falsifying business records in a catch-and-kill manner to influence the 2016 election, were told it was “not what they thought it was.” “It was much more stressful than it was.” right. “

Other jurors have raised similar concerns, with one alternate candidate telling Judge Marchan this morning that she was worried her family and friends would know her identity and it would be difficult for her to be impartial. He said he was there.

Yesterday, a potential juror asked for the jury to be dismissed because he assumed a co-worker, friend or family member was on the jury.

Many of the people currently being vetted as potential alternate jurors in Donald Trump's hush-money trial say they haven't been following the news closely.

Judge Juan Marchan is now having 22 Manhattan residents share their responses to a jury questionnaire. One of his questions asks those considering churros to share where they get their news from.

“I don't watch the news. I skim the headlines,” said one juror.

Another said that while they were “not big news people,” they saw the following briefly: new york times, BBC and Reuters.

Several people said they don't watch the news at all.

The findings are good news for Trump's defense team, which is likely looking for potential jurors with no preconceived notions about him.

But personally speaking, this is heartbreaking.

Susan Hoffinger, an assistant district attorney in the Manhattan prosecutor's office, will now begin questioning jurors more closely.

independent person's alex woodward Donald Trump says he's sitting straight and looking at the jury now.

A Manhattan resident who is a potential alternate juror in Donald Trump's hush money trial appears to have done a thorough job raising concerns for Judge Juan Machan about a potential conflict of interest with the case at hand.

Twenty-two people are currently under investigation in Manhattan criminal court, and when asked if they could judge the case fairly, many responded, but cautioned against information they thought was important to know. .

One person told the judge that a family member was close friends with former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and knew Michael Cohen's son.

Another told a judge with experience in the criminal justice system and asked for forgiveness.

One potential juror said he works for a company connected to Mr. Cohen's podcast, “Mea Culpa.”

There were initial concerns that the high profile of the case would make it difficult to find jurors, but alternate candidates appear to be taking the issue seriously.

Before appearing in court this morning, Donald Trump raved about presidential immunity for Truth Social, declaring that the Supreme Court should grant it immunity from criminal prosecution.

Just before his scheduled appearance in Manhattan Criminal Court, the former president posted five separate posts ranting about his immunity from criminal prosecution.

The Supreme Court will hear oral arguments next week in President Trump's presidential immunity appeal. He has argued that his actions are immune from criminal prosecution in federal election interference cases because they were part of his responsibilities as president.

In typical fashion, Trump wrote in all caps that without presidential immunity, “America would not be able to function properly,” adding that it would allow political opponents to go after the president.

Of the 22 potential alternate jurors currently being questioned in New York criminal court, three have so far been dismissed over fairness concerns.

In the past hour of jury selection, three different Manhattan residents immediately expressed concerns about whether they could be impartial.

One woman said she was worried that her family and friends would identify her and treat her unfairly.

Another woman said she couldn't be fair.

The woman then referred to question 26 on the jury questionnaire. This question asks whether jurors “can be impartial on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender identity, religion, religious practice, age, disability, sexual orientation, or political affiliation. I am asking “Please.” View.

Twelve jurors have been selected to decide the former president's fate in the historic hush money trial, but six alternates are needed to complete the jury pool. Only one alternate has been selected so far.

Five people will be added today.

Per New York City Criminal Court Law, Donald Trump is present in court as the fourth day of jury selection is underway, according to reports. independent alex woodward And he doesn't seem to be paying much attention to reporters in the courtroom pool.

From the overflow room, Alex reports, “Trump isn't seeing the jury today.”

“He mainly sits at his desk and reads or writes.''

According to Poole, President Trump is bent over a table, sometimes with his eyes closed, as he reads a document, but it is unclear what it is. He seems to occasionally “chew something” and close his eyes.

Court proceedings in Manhattan Criminal Court got off to a fast start this morning as the judge hopes to seat the five alternate jurors needed to complete the panel.

The 22 alternates have already begun answering questions on the jury survey. One of the alternate candidates expressed her concern that her family and friends would find out that she was a juror and that she would “not be able to make a completely impartial decision,” and that she was exempted.

The first juror to answer questions told the court that she was from Spain and did not read much news or have social media.

independent person's alex woodward Trump says he didn't see it.

“He's just looking straight ahead. All the prosecutors and lawyers are looking at the jury box with their heads turned to the right.