Trial which has become a front-page ‘political-advertisement’ garnering attention from right, left and center, has left many to wonder the tune the impending elections will dance to.
It was the first day of the next six-weeks when the former President – Donald J. Trump was escorted to attend his first criminal trial in the Manhattan courthouse. Welcomed by a huge congregation of demonstrators protesting outside the justice hall with bullhorns in their hands, the atmosphere was as tense as it was expected to be.
His lack of enthusiasm was vivid through his peering eyes which struggled to keep itself awake throughout the legal proceeding. His expressions asserting the injustice which the former president believes has booted him up for this day was visually ventilating.
The day’s objective was to select a cadre of impartial jurors who will serve in a jury of twelve to elicit verdict on the case accusing Trump of falsifying business records to transact a payment of $130,000 to an adult film star, Stormy Daniels to hush her from spilling about their alleged affair. The severity of the case elevated when Alvin Bragg, the Manhattan District Attorney reprimanded the former President for concealing material information from voters during the 2016 presidential elections.
What were the trial’s key take-aways?
The crucial task of handling selection of reasonable, bias-less jurors – voir dire, turned out to be a rather dreadful undertaking. During the lengthy course of examining individual jurors through a 42-pointer questionnaire, the first 100 or so potential jurors repelled away from serving, citing their undisputed impartiality towards the former president and thus were excused immediately.
The time-sickening process often intruded by flattered potential jurors looking euphorically towards Trump – giggling, hushing, and many leaving the courthouse: “I just couldn’t do it”. The attempt which Trump’s legal team will try to shoulder would to create a “holdout juror” who could be partial to Trump, free him from indictment and hang the jury for mistrial.
Trump before the jury selection began had for the last time tried to recuse judge – Juan Merchan from presiding on the case who the former president repeatedly has targeted in his speech during his election rallies, claiming Merchan has a conflict of interest depriving him from giving a fair trial.
The judge in reciprocation to Trump’s consistent nags addressed the issues and dismissed them with immediate effect. The podcast interview which his daughter did in which judge Merchan accepted his dislike for politicians who use twitter, did not reflect bias against a person or a party, thus rejecting Trump’s complaints.
First day of trial sparked joy among prosecutors
The first day was met with limited jubilation for Alvin Bragg, D.A Manhattan, when the judge considered to admit into evidence a key piece of material that will bolster their case that Trump’s intention behind falsification of records was to influence the 2016 elections.
Previously the judge had ruled out prosecution from using the Access Hollywood Tape, excavated in it was an infamous Trump quote that he could assault women and “grab them by their pussy”. But on Monday, judge Merchan allowed prosecutors to admit into evidence the full transcript of the Access Hollywood Tape enabling the quote to be read to the jury at trial.
The judge also allowed the prosecution to use the email chain where the transcript was send from Trump’s one aide to another, asking if the tape was Trump’s voice, before it made its final journey to Michael Cohen, the star witness of this case.
Trial’s closing statement left Trump discontent
Trump left the courtroom after the first day of the trial with visible discontentment. Sharing his resentment on his Truth Social page, Trump’s future in the suit hangs in uncertainty. His repeated acts of deliberately violating gag orders thrusted upon him by judge Juan Merchan to prevent the former president from attacking the family members of court-personnel or witnesses was received with meticulous contemplation.
The prosecutors asked judge Merchan to impose a $3,000 fine on Trump for attacking two potential trial witnesses – Stormy Daniels, the adult film start at the center of the criminal case and Michael Cohen – Trump’s former lawyer who pleaded guilty for his participation in transacting payment to Stormy, who Trump has warned his future violations can result in jail.
The next argument hearing has been scheduled for April 23rd. Merchan promised to address the alleged gag order violations but also reflected his day’s priority will be concentrated on potential jurors selection who are waiting for consideration.
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