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.
Judge Juan Merchan has excused Juror No. 4 after he returned to the courtroom to speak with the judge.
There are now five jurors seated, after Juror No. 2 was excused earlier.
Former President Donald Trump, seated far left, looks on with Judge Juan Merchan presiding as members of the jury panel answer questions from the jury questionnaire in Manhattan criminal court April 18, 2024, in New York.
Elizabeth Williams/Pool via Reuters
Judge Merchan said the man "expressed annoyance" at how much personal information about him had been publicized.
Trump looked on from his seat, alone, as the attorneys spoke to the judge.
The judge said the sidebar discussion would be sealed and omitted from the daily transcript.
Apr 18, 2024, 12:04 PM EDT
Judge, attorneys question Juror No. 4
Juror No. 4, who the DA's office said apparently failed to disclose prior encounters with the judicial system when he was picked for the jury, returned to the courtroom where he was questioned by Judge Merchan and attorneys for the two sides.
The discussion took place at the bench, out of earshot, in a private sidebar. Trump remained seated.
Assistant District Attorney Josh Steinglass questioned the juror, a grandfather originally from Puerto Rico who earlier indicated he found Trump "fascinating."
Former President Donald Trump, flanked by attorneys Todd Blanche and Emil Bove, arrives at Manhattan criminal court with his legal team as jury selection continues in New York, April 18, 2024.
Jabin Botsford/Pool/via Reuter
At one point, the juror broke out laughing. Defense attorney Todd Blanche also appeared to be laughing.
The man was then escorted from the courtroom, after which the judge said he would give the attorneys a few minutes to discuss the circumstances with the juror, who prosecutors determined had ripped down political posters in Westchester County in the 1990s. The posters leaned to the "political right," Steinglass had said.
There was also a prior deferred prosecution agreement the juror's wife entered into with the Manhattan district attorney's office, which he also failed to disclose while responding to the jury questionnaire.
Apr 18, 2024, 11:42 AM EDT
Law enforcement officer draws chuckles
"Good morning and thank you for having me," a prospective juror boomed, shaking a sleepy courtroom to attention and drawing a chuckle when he revealed he served as a court security officer.
The man proudly declared he's "born and raised" in Manhattan's Hell's Kitchen neighborhood, and has been in law enforcement for 34 years, assigned by the New York State court system to the Court of Claims.
Former President Donald Trump awaits the start of proceedings during jury selection at Manhattan criminal court, April 18, 2024 in New York.
Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via AP, Pool
He said he's a New York Rangers season ticket holder and does not have a smartphone.
"I still use a flip phone," he said.
He also said the only news he gets is from the Daily News and the New York Post.
Apr 18, 2024, 11:24 AM EDT
MBA, woman in publishing among prospective jurors questioned
A prospective juror with an MBA in finance told the court that he follows Trump on Truth Social but takes no part in political rallies for or against the former president.
"Except for following Michael Cohen or someone like that, I don't follow any anti-Trump organizations," the man said.
"I do not have any beliefs that would prevent me from being fair or impartial," he said.
Former President Donald Trump awaits the start of proceedings during jury selection at Manhattan criminal court, April 18, 2024 in New York.
Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via AP, Pool
A woman from the Upper West Side whose husband served as a federal prosecutor in Brooklyn said she read "the first ten pages or so of 'Disloyal,'" Michael Cohen's book. The woman, who works in publishing, quickly added, "for business reasons."
Another prospective juror, a woman who lives in Greenwich Village, said she read Trump's "Art of the Deal," decades ago.
Trump appears to be actively listening to many of these responses. At one point he called over a court security officer to ask him something.