The full jury panel has now been seated in the hush money trial against Donald Trump, clearing the way for opening statements to start on Monday.
There are 12 jurors and six alternates who will hear the case against the former president.
Opening statements are set to begin Monday at 9:30 a.m. ET. Court will be a half day on Monday and Tuesday due to Passover, ending at 2 p.m. ET each day.
Leaving the courthouse Friday, Trump again called the trial a “giant witch hunt.” Just hours after jury selection finished, an appeals court denied Trump’s latest attempt to stop the trial from going forward.
Here’s what happened today:
Finishing jury selection:
- The remaining five alternates were sworn in on Friday. All 12 jurors and one alternate were selected Thursday.
- The day started with a group of 22 potential jurors answering a questionnaire and facing more questions from lawyers on both sides.
- Trump watched the alternates’ answers very closely as they shared their opinions of him, turning toward the jury box as they responded.
- Before the lunch break, Judge Juan Merchan gave the jurors instructions not to discuss the case with others or research it. He said the court cannot start until all 18 jurors are present each day.
Sandoval hearing:
- The judge held a Sandoval hearing in the afternoon after the full jury was sworn in. The routine procedure aimed to address Trump’s criminal history and assess how much prosecutors can ask about it if the defendant testifies.
- Prosecutors want to bring up past cases — including a $355 million civil fraud order and the E. Jean Carroll defamation case — but the former president’s legal team argues those issues aren’t relevant to the case at hand.
- The judge said lawyers will have his decision on that matter by Monday.
- It’s not yet clear whether the former president will testify. But coming out of the courtroom, Trump said “yes” when asked whether he would take the stand.
Meantime: A New York appeals court judge denied Trump’s motion for an interim stay pending a change of venue appeal. This was the latest attempt by the former president to stop the hush money trial before opening statements.
Outside the courtroom:
- A man lit himself on fire outside the courthouse, New York Police Chief of Department Jeffrey B. Maddrey said.
- The man walked into the park across the street from the courthouse, throwing flyers into the air, according to Maddrey. He then pulled a canister of what police believe to be an accelerant and lit himself on fire, he said.
- The man is in critical condition at Cornell Burn Unit.
- NYPD Chief of Detectives Joe Kenny said police have not determined if the incident was related to Trump’s trial. He said the man did post about the incident on social media and that his internet presence will be part of the ongoing investigation.
