Banker Gary Farro testified in Donald Trump's hush money trial in New York.
Former President Donald Trump is on trial in New York City, where he is facing felony charges related to a 2016 hush money payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels. It marks the first time in history that a former U.S. president has been tried on criminal charges.
Trump last April pleaded not guilty to a 34-count indictment charging him with falsifying business records to hide the reimbursement of a hush money payment his then-attorney Michael Cohen made to Daniels in order to boost his electoral prospects in the 2016 presidential election.
The first group of 96 prospective jurors has been sworn in.
Judge Merchan is now delivering remarks that he said will last about 30 minutes, introducing the case and explaining to prospective jurors their responsibility -- if selected -- to be fair and impartial.
Trump has been leaning forward in his seat listening, with his elbows on the desk.
Dozens of New Yorkers are now being escorted into the courtroom as prospective jurors.
Judge Merchan will deliver a summary of the case before attorneys for both parties have an opportunity to evaluate the prospective jurors' fitness to serve.
According to the pool, 96 individuals will make up the first batch to go through the laborious selection process. Merchan said approximately 200 people have been summoned to the courthouse for potential jury duty on the case.
Trump, during a lengthy break as court officials escorted jurors through security magnetometers, could be seen reclining in his chair and conversing with his attorney Todd Blanche.
Judge Merchan has issued Trump's defense team an ultimatum: Turn over their proposed defense exhibits in 24 hours or be barred from using the materials.
"You have 24 hours," Merchan said. "Anything you don't produce within 24 hours will be precluded."
Defense attorney Todd Blanche pushed back on the deadline, arguing against a prosecutor's assertion that defense withheld materials following a February exhibit deadline for "tactical reasons."
"That is completely false," Blanche said. He asked Merchan for a Wednesday deadline instead, given the demands of the trial.
Merchan declined to grant the request, highlighting the recent flurry of defense motions filed over the last few weeks.
"I don't know how you managed to get those motions out," Merchan said. "The way you choose to use your time is your business."
Judge Merchan has set a hearing on prosecutors' request to hold Trump in contempt for allegedly violating the judge's limited gag order.
After initially setting the hearing for Wednesday, April 24, he rescheduled it for Tuesday, April 23 at 9:30 a.m. ET.
The judge gave Trump's attorneys until April 19 to file their written response.
Prosecutor Christopher Conroy also asked that a copy of the order be served on Trump, and papers were then handed to Trump and defense attorney Todd Blanche at the defense table.
