Judge Warns Trump Over Juror Intimidation At Trial

The Manhattan judge presiding over Donald Trump's hush money trial criticised the former president after he was heard commenting about a potential juror yesterday in a Manhattan court.

- ALEX WOODWARD

New York Justice Juan Merchan said: “I won’t tolerate it. I will not have any jurors intimidated in this courtroom. I want to make that crystal clear.”

The former president’s legal team, after questioning a first round of potential jurors who could deliver a verdict against him, asked to speak with one potential juror who appeared to post a video on social media showing New Yorkers celebrate. Defence attorney Todd Blanche said it appeared to be anti-Trump.

She said regardless of her political views or allegations about them, she affirmed that she would remain a fair and impartial juror if brought on to the case.

After she left the room, the judge lambasted Mr Trump for his “audible” comments and for “gesticulating” towards her. He denied Mr Trump’s attempts to strike her from the pool.

It came as a group of three jurors were finally selected yesterday to serve on the criminal trial in relation to alleged payments of hush money to a porn star.

Although more potential jurors were also dismissed yesterday as lawyers worked for a second day to find a panel of New Yorkers to decide whether the Republican will become the first former president convicted of a crime.

Possible jurors were quizzed for hours about their views on Mr Trump and other issues, and eight people were excused after saying they could not be impartial or because they had other commitments. Several people said they believed they could decide the case fairly, no matter their feelings about Mr Trump or his policies as president.