Former President Donald Trump’s trial on charges of falsifying business records began Monday in New York.
Last year, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg indicted Trump on 34 counts, accusing him of trying to cover up “hush money” he paid to porn star Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election. Indicted. Mr. Trump has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Jury selection in the criminal case began this week, with attorneys seeking a jury of 12 jurors and six alternates.Potential jurors must answer the following questions 40 questions To identify signs of bias against Trump.
In court Monday, Deputy Judge Juan Mercian said he typically gives lawyers 15 minutes for the first questioning and 10 minutes for the second. CNN report. However, because it was a special case, the court allowed lawyers to request priority deadlines for each round. Trump’s lawyer, Todd Blanche, requested 30 and 20 minutes, respectively. The district attorney’s office and Merchan agreed.
Blanche said President Trump wants to attend all meetings, including proceedings for all sides during jury selection.
Marchand had previously placed a gag order on Trump, prohibiting him from commenting publicly about anyone involved in the case, including their families.
Trump has tried many times. Merchan refused He was removed from the lawsuit, claiming there was a conflict of interest. The former president’s lawyers recently argued this month that Marchan’s daughter “has a direct financial interest in these lawsuits by virtue of her ownership and leadership role” in the progressive political consulting firm. He then filed another request for cancellation. The judge’s request to dismiss was denied.
On Monday, prosecutors sought to sanction Trump for allegedly violating a judge’s gag order. Prosecutors say President Trump’s recent Truth Social posts included comments about potential witnesses.
In one of his social media posts, Trump referred to “two scumbags,” which prosecutors say were potential witnesses Stormy Daniels and Trump’s former lawyer Michael Cohen. He claimed that.
Blanche insisted that Trump’s posts did not violate the judge’s gag order, saying they were a limited response to “the vile and repeated violent attacks by the witnesses.”
Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass argued that two witnesses “infuriated Trump supporters” by agreeing to testify against the former president.
The judge has not yet ruled on the matter.
Marchan denied a request by prosecutors to play the infamous 2005 “Access Hollywood” tape to jurors that captured President Trump making comments about women. However, the judge ruled that President Trump’s statements in the recording will be submitted as evidence.
“We can bring up what was said on the tape,” Marchan said, adding that he didn’t want jurors to hear “Trump’s voice or body language.”
Additionally, prosecutors cannot introduce evidence regarding sexual assault allegations. Marchand called the claims “complete rumor, complete gossip, complete hearsay.” new york times report.
Marchan agreed to allow prosecutors to present testimony from Karen McDougall, who claims she had a relationship with Trump for about a month in 2006 and received hush money. Mr. Trump denied the allegation. Jurors will also hear testimony from Mr. Cohen against the former president.
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