NEW YORK: The judge in Donald Trump’s historic criminal trial has warned the Republican presidential hopeful against intimidating jurors as seven panelists were chosen with unexpected speed following questioning by both sides.

There had been speculation that jury selection could take weeks in such a high-profile and sensitive case — the first criminal trial of a former US president, who also is running to return to the White House this November.

But Judge Juan Merchan ended the session on Tuesday, saying he was hopeful opening arguments could begin as early as on Monday next week.

After a preliminary phase in Trump’s trial in which prospective jurors could opt out if they felt unable to be impartial or had extenuating circumstances, defence attorneys and prosecutors began questioning the candidates in depth.

Seven panelists picked in historic criminal hush money trial

Twelve jurors in total are needed, and six alternates will also be chosen.

For Trump to be convicted of his alleged fraud in a scheme to cover up an embarrassing alleged extramarital encounter with a porn star, the jury must render a unanimous verdict. Even one dissenting voice would see him walk free.

Merchan cautioned Trump at one point that his muttering was audible to one juror who faced scrutiny over social media posts. “I will not have any jurors intimidated in this courtroom,” Merchan said.

Trump, 77, has been ordered by Merchan to be in court daily, putting a major hitch in his campaign plans.

“I should be right now in Pennsylvania and Florida — in many other states, North Carolina, Georgia — campaigning,” Trump said in angry remarks outside the court. He called Merchan “Trump-hating”.

Meanwhile, President Joe Biden spent the day touting his economic policies in a visit to his birthplace in Scranton, Pennsylvania — a key swing state he narrowly carried in the 2020 election.

Merchan has warned Trump against repeating his frequent past attempts to turn hearings into impromptu campaign appearances with outbursts at witnesses and staff, as well as tirades on social media.

The judge has already scheduled a hearing next week to consider whether Trump should be held in contempt for violating a partial gag order restricting him from attacking individuals connected to the case.

Published in Dawn, April 18th, 2024