Twelve jurors have been selected for the Trump trial

 

The full 12-person jury has been selected for the historic criminal trial of former US President Donald Trump in New York City. Here are the key developments from the BBC News report:

1. Jury Selection:

   • A jury of seven men and five women has been sworn in for the trial, marking a significant milestone in the legal proceedings against Trump.
   • The selection process moved swiftly after Trump's legal team exhausted their challenges, contrary to expectations that jury selection might take weeks.

2. Nature of the Trial:

   • The trial revolves around a hush-money payment of $130,000 made to porn star Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election, allegedly to buy her silence about an alleged affair with Trump, which he denies.
   • Trump faces charges of falsifying business records brought by the Manhattan District Attorney's Office. He has pleaded not guilty to the 34 counts against him.

3. Challenges and Dismissals:

   • The jury-selection process faced setbacks, with two jurors dismissed after initial selection due to external pressures and concerns about impartiality.
   • One juror was excused after friends and family learned about her selection and bombarded her with messages. Another juror was dismissed after it was discovered he may have lied about his criminal history.

4. Juror Dynamics:

   • Prospective jurors expressed a range of opinions about Trump, with some criticizing his policies and persona, while others claimed to have neutral views or cited personal connections to him.
   • The defense team raised concerns about one prospective juror's old social media posts, in which she criticized Trump, leading to her dismissal from the jury pool.

5. Legal Proceedings:

   • With the jury now in place, opening arguments in the trial could begin as soon as Monday, marking a significant moment in US legal history as Trump becomes the first former president to face a criminal trial.

The selection of a full jury for Trump's trial sets the stage for a closely watched legal battle that could have far-reaching implications for the former president and the broader political landscape. As the trial unfolds, the world will be watching closely to see how events unfold in the New York courtroom.