Trump's criminal hush money trial has its first seven jurors

NEW YORK, (Reuters) - The first seven jurors were selected on Tuesday to serve on Donald Trump's hushmoney criminal trial, as the selection process continues to choose a panel of 12 members and six alternates who can be fair to the former U.S. president.

The judge also warned lawyers that he would not tolerate any efforts to intimidate prospective jurors after saying Trump, the Republican candidate for president in the Nov. 5 election, was audibly muttering while one of the possible members of the panel was questioned.

Trump faces 34 felony counts of falsifying business records to cover up a hush money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels shortly before the 2016 election. Daniels says she had a sexual encounter with Trump about a decade beforehand.

Trump has pleaded not guilty and denies an encounter took place. He has called the case, brought by Democratic Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, a partisan "witch hunt" meant to interfere with his campaign to unseat Democratic President Joe Biden.

The hush money case is one of four criminal prosecutions Trump faces, which also stem from trying to overturn his 2020 loss and alleged mishandling of classified information. He has also pleaded not guilty to those charges, though the other three cases may not go to trial before the election.

The seven jurors selected on Tuesday included a man originally from Ireland who enjoys doing "anything outdoorsy" and watches both MSNBC and Fox News, a woman who works as an oncology nurse and enjoys taking her dog to the park, and a corporate lawyer who said he does not follow the news that closely.

During questioning by Trump's lawyer Todd Blanche earlier on Tuesday, the nurse said she did not have a strong opinion about Trump.

But, she said, "No one is above the law."

Jury selection began on Monday, and is set to resume on Thursday after a day off on Wednesday. Merchan said opening statements could take place next Monday but warned that could be delayed.

TRUMP WANTS 'A FAIR SHAKE'

The process so far has highlighted the challenges of choosing a group of impartial jurors from heavily Democratic Manhattan.

More than half the initial pool of 96 jurors called were dismissed on Monday after saying they did not believe they could be fair.