Trump trial: 1st week of testimony ends with testimony from Michael Cohen's former banker
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.
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What to know about the hush money case
READ MORE: Here's what you need to know about the historic case.
Court resumes with questioning of prospective jurors
Court resumed after the lunch break with the individual questioning of 18 prospective jurors, who are seated in the jury box.
Assistant District Attorney Josh Steinglass began with a rhetorical question for the group: "How am I considered for this case of all cases?"
Steinglass said the case was not a referendum on the Trump presidency or anyone's politics. "This case is about whether this man broke the law," he said, gesturing toward Trump.
"I could be objective," one of the prospective jurors, the security officer with Rangers seats and a flip phone, said.
Before the questions resumed, Judge Juan Merchan addressed the temperature in the courtroom.
"I want to apologize that it's chilly in here," Merchan said.
Earlier, when defense attorney Todd Blanche asked to make the courtroom warmer, the judge had said he feared a one-degree bump in the nearly century-old building could increase the temperature by 30 degrees.
Prospective juror born in Italy is excused
A prospective juror was promptly excused after he explained he was born and raised in Italy, where he said the media has a "strong association" between Donald Trump and scandal-plagued former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi that would prevent him from being fair.
"Now that I'm sitting here, it's going to be hard for me to retain my impartiality and fairness," the man said before he was excused.
Court subsequently recessed for lunch, with the questioning of potential jurors scheduled to resume after the break.
Long Island native answers attorneys' questions
After losing two jurors, the selection process is stretching on this afternoon with prospective jurors standing up one-by-one to read the questionnaire.
"This is so bizarre," said a Long Island native when time came for her turn.
The woman is married with two children and has served on a jury three times before. She said her son is some sort of rating analyst, but conceded, "I don't actually know what he does."
Defense attorney Todd Blanche appeared to laugh at that answer. Donald Trump did not.
In response to the question of whether she can put aside bias, the prospective juror answered, "Yes, I will be unbiased. I will be very impartial."
Trump has appeared at times interested in some of the jurors as they work through their questionnaires. As one woman read her answers out loud, Trump turned his body to face her, slid is arm over the back of his chair, and crossed one leg over the other, listening.
2nd juror excused, leaving 5 seated for now
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.
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.
Michael Cohen obsessed with 'getting Trump,' defense claims
In his opening statement, defense attorney Todd Blanche sought to eviscerate Michael Cohen's credibility, saying Cohen is obsessed with Donald Trump, has a desire to see Trump incarcerated and has a propensity to lie.
"He has a goal, an obsession, with getting Trump. I submit to you he cannot be trusted," Blanche said.
On Sunday night, Cohen publicly posted online that he had a "mental excitement about this trial" and the testimony he would deliver, Blanche said.
"His entire financial livelihood depends on President Trump's destruction," Blanche said. "You cannot make a serious decision about President Trump by relying on the words of Michael Cohen."