Donald Trump trial 12 members of the jury have been selected in Trump’s historic criminal trial

The twelve members of the jury who will evaluate guilt or innocence Donald Trump In his criminal trial in a case arising from the payment of money to a porn star.

Defense and prosecution attorneys have not yet selected alternate jurors for the trial, the first in which a former US president is a defendant. Judge Juan Marchán also pardoned another member after prosecutors told the jury he would not have disclosed any previous run-ins with the law.

Trump’s massive public presence created problems unique during jury selection process, which started on Monday. Nearly half of the first 196 jurors selected in the heavily Democratic area of ​​Manhattan were dismissed after claiming they could not make a fair assessment The guilt or innocence of a Republican politician.

The case has also drawn criticism from Trump of witnesses, prosecutors, the judge, their families and others. Concern about harassment, Due to which Marchen had to impose a partial ban order.

Marchan dismissed the juror who said feeling frightened after family members, friends and colleagues speculated that he had been selected for testing. The juror said, “I don’t think I can be impartial at this point and not let outside influences influence my decision making in court.”

trump, Republican presidential candidates in the November 5 electionWashington, Georgia and Florida also face criminal cases, but the New York case is the only one that is certain to go to trial this year.

Officials involved in those cases have reported receiving death threats and harassment after being criticized by Trump.

Trump has pleaded not guilty to all four counts and has said without evidence that they are part of a broader effort by allies of Democratic President Joe Biden to hinder his candidacy. Conviction cannot bar him from holding office.