The trial over hush money that former American Republican President Donald Trump allegedly paid to porn actress Stormy Daniels resumed in New York on Thursday with a difficult jury selection. At the beginning of the hearing, one of the seven selected jurors resigned, leaving only six of the necessary twelve jurors, not including the six alternates.
Source: BELGA
Yesterday at 5:45 PM
The juror said in court that she had been approached by people close to her about the case. Family, friends and colleagues are said to have deduced from media reports that she should be one of the jury members. “I believe that at this point I can no longer be fair and unbiased or avoid outside influence in the courtroom,” she said.
Judge Juan Merchan said the woman would probably have been a good juror but let her go anyway. He instructed the journalists present not to reveal anything about the other jury members’ answers to questions about their work.
A total of 12 jury members must be selected. Many potential candidates drop out because they say they cannot judge impartially in the case.
The lawsuit revolves around hush money that Trump allegedly paid to porn actress Stormy Daniels during his presidential campaign in 2016. Such a payment is not illegal in itself, but Trump and his lawyers are said to have tried to conceal the transaction. In total, Trump is accused of 34 criminal offenses.
Trump, the first ex-president of the United States to stand trial in a criminal trial, is required by law to attend the entire trial.
More than three years after leaving the White House in chaos, Trump could theoretically face prison time. However, it will not prevent him from being a candidate in the presidential elections on November 5.
