New York: More than 50 future jurors have been dismissed from the landmark trial after former President Donald Trump said they could not conduct a fair and impartial trial.
Ninety-six people appeared in court in New York accused of paying a porn star, who they believed was his lover, to test Trump’s ability to judge fairly.
“I can’t do it,” said one of the prospective jurors, a woman with short hair, as she left the courtroom.
At least nine jurors made excuses after raising their hands when Judge Juan Mercan asked if they could not serve for another reason.
Merchan said Manhattan has up to 500 residents, which the court can pull to bolster the jury that can challenge one of the most famous and controversial men in the world.
Jurors must answer a questionnaire that includes questions about whether they are members of far-right groups associated with Trump.
More than a dozen court officials were stationed around the courtroom in Manhattan, and Trump craned his neck to see the prospective audience.
The selection of 12 jurors is expected to be a difficult task to protect against threats of bribery or even physical harm from the judges.
That could take up to two weeks, according to one of Trump’s lawyers.
The Republican presidential candidate is accused of falsifying employment records in a scheme to cover up an extramarital affair with actress Stormy Daniels to protect his 2016 primary campaign from last-minute upsets. He faces three other criminal charges after his resignation, related to withholding classified documents and an unprecedented attempt to defeat President Joe Biden in the 2020 election.
