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.
Top headlines:
- Banker says he set up LLC, which Cohen used to pay Daniels
- 'Thank you for handling' McDougal, Pecker says Trump told him
- 'This story is true,' Pecker recounts being told of Stormy Daniels
- Pecker describes $150,000 negotiations for McDougal's story
- Secret Service has plans if Trump is confined for contempt: Sources
What to know about the hush money case
READ MORE: Here's what you need to know about the historic case.
1st group of prospective jurors enters courtroom
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 gives defense 24 hours to submit exhibits
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 sets hearing on holding Trump in contempt
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.
Court back in session following break
Judge Juan Merchan has restarted court for the afternoon proceedings following the lunch break.
Both Donald Trump and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg are in attendance.
Trump made no remarks to reporters before entering the courtroom after the break.
Several more jurors dismissed during questioning
After the parties questioned a total of 11 witnesses, two of them were struck for cause, including a man who cited a conflict with the trial due to his child's wedding.
One potential juror disclosed that he worked for the Bronx district attorney's office, and other jurors listed professions including sales, oncology nursing and social media marketing.
Another potential juror, who lives on the Upper West Side and works at a bookstore, made a brief remark about the fairness of the justice system while answering the questionnaire.
"I believe that nobody is above the law, whether it be a former president or a sitting president or a janitor," he said.
The remaining jurors are due to return to court tomorrow to complete the questions. Merchan said another panel of prospective jurors will arrive at court tomorrow morning.