Trump trial: 1st week of testimony ends with testimony from Cohen's former banker

Banker Gary Farro testified in Donald Trump's hush money trial in New York.

Last Updated: April 19, 2024, 10:29 AM EDT

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.

Apr 22, 2024, 5:51 AM EDT

What to know about the hush money case

Apr 19, 2024, 10:22 AM EDT

'I don't think I can be impartial,' says woman who's excused

Asked to share her responses to the jury questionnaire, one prospective alternate said she wanted to "jump ahead" to Question 34, which asks whether any strong opinions of Trump would interfere with the ability to be fair.

"The last day, after some introspection, I don't think I can be impartial," the woman said. "I had every intention when I first started, but I think after the questions posed to prospective jurors and asking the questions to myself, I don't think I can be impartial."

Judge Merchan excused her without objection from the attorneys.

A prospective alternate who works for the New York City Law Department said in response to a question that she had read Trump's "Art of the Deal." Trump, who appeared to have his eyes closed, opened them right away at that response and looked at the woman.

Former President Donald Trump sits in a Manhattan Criminal Court for his trial on April 19, 2024 in New York City.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images

The woman also said she had been sexually assaulted "a couple of times on the train."

Trump also appeared to have been chewing on something. He has been conferring with defense attorney Emil Bove throughout the more mundane parts of the questionnaire responses.

A chef for a "large hospitality group" said he follows the White House account on Instagram, "so when Mr. Trump was president, obviously I was receiving updates." Trump turned his head to look at the man after he had been slumped over the defense table looking down.

Apr 19, 2024, 9:55 AM EDT

Prospective alternates begin tackling questionnaire

Members of the remaining pool of jurors are reading aloud their answers to the jury questionnaire in order for the parties to pick the final alternates needed for the trial -- but even before the first prospective alternate began, she said, "I have really bad anxiety" about people possibly finding out who she is.

"I might not be able to be completely fair and that concerns me," the woman said. "More and more people in my life know I'm here without me even telling them, just by putting the pieces together."

She was immediately excused by Judge Merchan without objection from the lawyers.

There are 22 prospective alternates in the jury box that will respond to the questionnaire before the lawyers question them individually. The court must seat five additional alternate jurors after one was seated on Thursday.

Apr 19, 2024, 9:44 AM EDT

Court back in session for Day 4

Court is back in session for Day 4 of the trial, kicking off what is widely expected to be the last day of jury selection.

Former President Trump is in his usual seat at the defense table, along with his lawyers. His aide Steven Cheung and attorney Cliff Robert are sitting in the back row of the courtroom.

"Good morning, Mr. Trump," Judge Merchand said as he entered the courtroom, which, like yesterday, is quite chilly.

"We're still working on the temperature in the courtroom," Merchan told all those assembled.

Apr 19, 2024, 9:29 AM EDT

'I want to be open,' Trump tells reporters

Entering the courthouse this morning, Trump again criticized the limited gag order in the case, telling reporters, "Every time I come out to speak to you, I want to be open because we did absolutely nothing wrong."

Former President Donald Trump speaks to the media as he enters Manhattan Criminal Court for his trial on April 19, 2024 in New York City.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images

It was a continuation of his campaign against Judge Merchan's limited gag order, which prevents him from targeting potential witnesses in the case, as well as jurors, lawyers, court staff, and the families of Merchan and District Attorney Alvin Bragg.

"The gag order has to come off. I should be allowed to speak," he said.

-Kelsey Walsh and Michael Pappano

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