Over 50 potential Trump jurors excused from trial

NEW YORK: More than 50 prospective jurors were excused from the landmark trial of former president Donald Trump on Monday after they said they would not be able to try him fairly and impartially.

Ninety-six potential panelists were assembled in a New York court to be screened for their ability to fairly judge Mr Trump, accused of covering up hush money payments to a porn star with whom he is alleged to have had an affair.

One prospective juror, a woman with short hair, said “I just couldn’t do it” as she left court, which was adjourned for the day and was to resume yesterday at 9.30am New York time.

At least nine other prospective jurors were excused after raising their hand when Judge Juan Merchan asked if they could not serve for any other reason.

A randomly selected group of 18 prospective jurors were taken through preagreed screening questions, covering education, news habits, hobbies and their ability to be neutral.

Judge Merchan has said there is a pool of up to 500 Manhattan residents from which the court can draw to empanel the jury that will judge arguably one of the most well-known and controversial men in the world.

Jurors must answer a questionnaire including checks on whether they have been members of far-right groups associated with Mr Trump.

More than a dozen court officers were stationed around the courtroom in Manhattan as the process ground on and Trump craned his neck to see the prospective panelists.

Selection of 12 jurors — given anonymity to protect them from what the judge says is risk of bribery or even physical harm — is expected to be a tortuous process.

It could go on as long as two weeks, according to one of Mr Trump’s lawyers.

The Republican presidential candidate is accused of falsifying business records in a scheme to cover up an alleged extramarital sexual encounter with adult film actress Stormy Daniels to shield his first election campaign, in 2016, from last-minute upheaval.

He faces three other criminal cases centered on his hoarding of top-secret documents after leaving office and his alleged attempt to overturn his 2020 election loss to President Joe Biden.