(AFP) – Where do you live? What’s your job? Married? Any kids? Hobbies? Oh, and have you ever attended a Donald Trump rally?
Jury selection for the former president’s criminal trial that begins in New York on Monday promises to be as unusual as his campaign style. Prosecutors and Trump’s defense attorneys have agreed on 42 questions to be asked of the randomly selected New Yorkers before they are chosen as jurors for the blockbuster trial.
The 77-year-old Trump faces 34 counts of falsifying business records for allegedly paying hush money to porn star Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 election to cover up a sexual encounter. The Republican presidential candidate has denounced the case as a political witch hunt brought by Democrats to derail his chances of recapturing the White House in November.
Twelve jurors and up to six alternates will be picked to hear the case, which is expected to last six to eight weeks. Their verdict must be unanimous, and the prosecution and defense will be seeking to ferret out the political leanings of potential jurors to fashion a panel to their liking.
Both sides will start the questioning with general queries about the personal background of each juror before delving into more politically sensitive areas. Potential jurors will not be asked directly who they have voted for but many of the questions are clearly crafted to elicit their views.
They will be asked about their media consumption habits and whether they listen to talk radio. Do they follow Trump on his online Truth Social platform? Do they have any ties to Trump’s company or presidential campaign? Have they ever attended a rally or campaign event in support or in opposition to Trump? Jurors will also be asked whether they support or belong to any right-wing extremist groups such as the Proud Boys or left-wing groups such as Antifa.
– ‘Fair and impartial’ –
Trump’s lawyers tried to delay the trial or get it moved on the grounds that the real estate tycoon cannot get an unbiased jury in New York. New Yorkers voted overwhelmingly for Democrats Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden in 2016 and 2020 respectively, and Republican Trump is a polarizing figure in the Big Apple.
In his order laying down the ground rules for jury selection, Judge Juan Merchan, who is presiding over the case, recognized that New Yorkers — like they do about most things — tend to have strong opinions about Donald Trump. The judge is expediting the process used to excuse jurors who say they are unable to serve because they simply cannot be “fair and impartial.”
At the same time, Merchan said: “The purpose of jury selection is not to determine whether a prospective juror does or does not like one of the parties.” The ultimate issue is whether the prospective juror can assure us that they will set aside any personal feelings or biases and render a decision that is based on the evidence and the law.”
– Gregory Walton with Chris Lefkow in Washington
© 2024 AFP
