The historical trial against Donald Trump in the case investigating the bribes allegedly paid by the tycoon to the adult film actress Stormy Daniels Hiding the relationship they both had before the 2016 elections has suffered a new setback. This Thursday, the judge challenged two of the seven members of the jury, chosen after two days of intense scrutiny. They are left out of the first criminal trial against a former president of the United States.
Earlier in the day, a woman identified only as number 2 was eventually excluded after raising concerns that she may have been recognized by friends and family. The judge Juan Mercan He regretted that this person had to be omitted and criticized the press for publishing information that would have facilitated his recognition. He asked the media not to write about the appearance of the chosen ones.
After the lunch break, just a few hours later, Merchan had to exclude another member of the jury, identified as Number 4, for undisclosed reasons. However, the prosecution had expressed doubts about the credibility of this final juror’s testimony based on the answers he gave to the first selection questionnaire. According to him Financial TimesJuror number 4 did not tell the court that he was arrested in the 1990s for tearing down right-wing extremist posters.
The turbulent electoral process took place this Thursday with the support of Trump. Following the latest verdicts, only five of the 18 jurors (twelve plus six alternates) needed to begin the trial in Manhattan remain. It seems difficult for them to be elected before Monday, the day on which Judge Merchan hoped to begin the trial itself, with the intervention of prosecutors and stupid defense lawyers.
The Republican candidate for the White House faces 34 counts of falsifying business records over alleged $130,000 payments to buy Daniel’s silence. Trump, who must be present in the New York courtroom during the six-week trial, continues to defend his innocence. But if the jury finds him guilty, he faces up to four years in prison.