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Post by Webster on Apr 19, 2024 15:44:54 GMT -5
note: previous thread can be found here(The Guardian) Potential jurors are now answering the 42-point questionnaire for jury selection. Some of the questions they have been asked to answer include: --Are you a native New Yorker? If not, where did you live previously? --What do you do for a living? --Do you participate in any organizations or advocacy groups? --Which of the following print publications, cable and/ or network programs, or online media such as websites, blogs, or social media platforms do you visit, read, or watch? (Choices are: New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, New York Post, New York Daily News, Newsday, Huffington Post, Washington Post, CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, Newsmax, MSN, Google, Yahoo, Facebook, Truth Social, X, Tik Tok, I do not follow the news, Other [name]) --Have you, a relative, or close friend had any experience or interaction with the criminal justice system, including a police officer or other type oflaw enforcement agent, which caused you to form an opinion, whether positive or negative, about the police or our criminal justice system? --Have you, a relative, or a close friend ever worked or volunteered for a Trump presidential campaign, the Trump presidential administration, or any other political entity affiliated with Mr. Trump? --lHave you ever attended a rally or campaign event for Donald Trump? --Have you ever considered yourself a supporter of or belonged to any of the following: the QAnon movement, Proud Boys, Oathkeepers, Three Percenters, Boogaloo Boys, Antifa? --The defendant in this case has written a number of books. Have you read (or listened to audio) of any one or more of those books? If so, which ones?
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Post by Webster on Apr 19, 2024 15:48:37 GMT -5
(The Guardian) Donald Trump didn’t have much of a reaction after that prospective alternate juror described difficulty in being impartial. Trump, who’s leaning, elbows on the defense table, was looking down. When the former prospective alternate juror passed by him while exiting the courtroom, Trump did not appear to look up, per a pool report. As the morning session plodded on, Trump could be seen shuffling papers around periodically.
There were a few instances where Donald Trump seemed more reactive than at other points during the process. Trump immediately looked over to one prospective alternate when he started speaking and looked back at him a few more times, per a pool report. This was a juror who wound up saying: “Citizens United is the law of the land” and that he wants the source of the political contributions to be public. Another possible alternate juror who piqued Trump’s interest: one who had volunteered for Get Out The Vote during a Clinton campaign. This potential juror also said he went to a woman’s march. Per a pool report, Trump and Blanche exchanged notes and briefly spoke after this man said he’d participated in these events. Yet another potential alternate prompted a seeming smile from Trump, after she revealed “My father is a lifelong friend of Chris Christie.”
Prosecutors with the Manhattan district attorney’s office have accused Donald Trump of violating a gag order and urged the court to find him in contempt. Prosecutors filed their argument on Thursday accusing the former president of violating the order seven more times, in addition to another filing earlier this week, which accused him of violating the order on three other previous occasions. On Monday, prosecutors asked judge Juan Merchan to find Trump $1,000 per social media post they said violated the judge’s gag order limiting what he can say publicly about witnesses. Trump’s “decision to specifically target individuals whom this Court’s order protects is a deliberate flouting of this Court’s directives,” prosecutor Chris Conroy wrote in his filing on Thursday. Merchan will decide on the request at a hearing scheduled for Tuesday 23 April. Trump railed against the court-imposed gag order this morning before he headed inside the courtroom, saying that it has to “come off … People are allowed to speak about me and I have a gag order, just to show you how much more unfair it is.”
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Post by Webster on Apr 19, 2024 15:50:02 GMT -5
(The Guardian) Oftentimes, potential jurors’ candor makes for an entertaining selection process. One described his relationship status as “not married, never been married, no kids,” and then said shortly thereafter: I’m trying to find a wife in my spare time, it’s not working.Perhaps his singledom would make things easier if chosen to carry out this civic duty. The potential alternate juror told the court: I can stay as long as you need me to.And then sometimes, would-be jurors reveal things that are just a bit weird. On Friday, one man said he cleans his local dog park twice daily, describing it as meditation.
The court has resumed after a short break, with five alternate jurors yet to be selected. Donald Trump is back in the courtroom seated at the defense table next to his lawyers in the chilly Manhattan courthouse. So far today the former president has demanded a court-imposed gag order be removed, appeared to doze off in court and watched as potential alternate jurors answered questions. A full jury of 12 people and one of six alternate jurors was seated on Thursday.
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Post by Webster on Apr 19, 2024 16:25:47 GMT -5
(The Guardian) Prosecutor Susan Hoffinger is now addressing and questioning potential alternates. -- This is not about Mr Trump being a former president. It’s not about his being a candidate for the presidency. It’s not about his popularity. And it’s not about who you vote for or who you might vote for in the fall ... Is there anybody here, sitting here now, who feels that because of his position, because of what his position was and what it is now, that somehow you feel you should prove more than what the law requires – proof beyond a reasonable doubt.
The questioning of potential alternates paused momentarily. One potential juror sounded as if she broke into tears when prosecutor Susan Hoffinger started to ask her a question. -- I feel so nervous and anxious right now, I’m sorry. I thought I could do this, but I wouldn’t want someone who feels this way to judge my case, either. This is so much more stressful than I thought it would be.After conferring with both sides, judge Juan Merchan ultimately excused her.
And now it’s the defense’s term to question prospective alternates. Susan Necheles is conducting the questioning: I appreciate the candor that you’ve shown to this courtroom.
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Post by Webster on Apr 19, 2024 16:31:30 GMT -5
(The Guardian) Susan Necheles, one of Trump’s lawyers, said: It’s important for the government, but it’s very important for president Trump.Donald Trump appears to be looking at Necheles as she addresses prospective alternates. “She talked a lot about what she thinks are the facts of the case … that’s her opinion, that’s what she thinks,” Necheles said of prosecutor Susan Hoffinger’s address to jurors. -- Is there anyone here who would have a problem putting aside what you heard Ms Hoffinger was saying or Mr Steinglass was saying?During this process, another prospective alternate juror expressed nervousness. “I’m getting the same anxiety and self-doubt.” She was excused.
One prospective alternate, asked about his thoughts on Donald Trump, said: “He’s a person, a politician, a businessman – I think that’s why people are kind of struggling with this question.” “I really like lower taxes, in this country, I like lower regulation for businesses,” he said, during which Trump seemed to shake his head in agreement. “I want more jobs through the information technology.” However, he said, “When you think about the Republican party and why we need to bring religion into people’s lives and women’s rights to their own bodies, it’s too much.” “But, if you take it altogether on president Trump, I will say neutral, leaning positive,” he said.
Another alternate juror has been chosen. Four alternate juror seats still to be filled.
A third alternate juror has been chosen, just minutes after the confirmation of the second alternate juror. Three more alternate seats are left to be filled.
A fourth alternate juror has been chosen. The court now needs to just fill up two more alternate seats.
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Post by Webster on Apr 19, 2024 16:33:30 GMT -5
(The Guardian) Fifth alternate juror chosenA fifth alternate juror has been chosen. One more left to go.
All six alternate jurors chosenAfter days of jury selection, the court has finally chosen all 12 jurors and 6 alternate jurors who will decide the fate of Donald Trump in his historic criminal trial. The selection of all 18 jurors came not without setbacks, as judge Juan Merchan dismissed two seated jurors earlier this week over identity and credibility concerns. With the jury bench now full, the trial is expected to move towards opening statements next week.
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Post by Webster on Apr 19, 2024 16:34:26 GMT -5
(The Guardian) The sixth chosen alternate jurors are currently being sworn in. Judge Juan Merchan said: “Jurors we’ve now completed jury selection for this case.”
A “totally charred human being” is seen outside the Manhattan criminal court, CNN reports. The outlet reports a stretcher and first responders on scene, in addition to flames and smoke. More details to come.
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Post by Webster on Apr 19, 2024 16:36:41 GMT -5
(The Guardian) Person apparently sets self on fire outside courthouseA person appears to have set themself on fire outside the Manhattan criminal court where Donald Trump’s criminal trial is under way. Videos online appeared to show the person being engulfed in flames as authorities including New York police rushed to extinguish the flames.
Across the street from the courthouse, police are gathered examining the area where a man set himself aflame during proceedings.
There is a pile of charred material from which a small amount of smoke appears to be drifting. The air has a somewhat charred scent.
'It's just shocking': bystander describes chaotic scene outside courthouseOne bystander described the incident, saying: He made a noise and he threw all those pamphlets. I don’t know if the cops will ever release that but those pamphlets have the answers of whatever the hell…convinced himself to kill himself… It’s just shocking. I mean, I couldn’t do anything. It’s honestly hard to even process in your brain. There’s some people crying in the park… There’s just nothing you can do. He’s burning himself …”
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Post by Webster on Apr 19, 2024 16:44:40 GMT -5
(The Guardian) Another bystander who identified himself as Louie M said: -- I turn around and I see the guy’s on fire. It’s horrible. I hope he makes it … I don’t think I ever saw him before.”Louie M, who was carrying a US flag, said that he was rallying at the park “for America”. -- It happened so fast. A poor Chinese lady, she was crying. She was horrified,” he added.
The bystander, Louie M, continued recounting the incident, saying: “There was a well-dressed guy. I think he was going to throw his jacket on him to maybe put out the flame. I couldn’t get near him.”
A law enforcement officer outside court said: “To me it looked like a bonfire, it was almost that high. My partner said: ‘It was a human.’”
His reaction upon realizing what was happening was: “Holy shit.”
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Post by Webster on Apr 19, 2024 16:46:59 GMT -5
(The Guardian) Another bystander said: I’ve been hanging around, seeing if I could find out what the flyers were but he had nothing on his T-shirt, nothing identifiable.”
Reuters is reporting that one of the pamphlets near the scene of the incident referred to “evil billionaires”. The pamphlet also appeared to call on people to “expose this corruption”. Reuters added that the portion that was visible to a Reuters witness did not mention Donald Trump.
“Court officers rushed to aid the man, one of the was injured” from smoke inhalation, a court official said. -- The injured officer was taken to the hospital.Court will continue as scheduled.
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Post by Webster on Apr 19, 2024 16:49:54 GMT -5
(The Guardian) Man who set self on fire is alive in critical condition, police sayNYPD is now briefing the press about the man who is in the Weill Cornell burn unit in critical condition. -- The man has been identified as Maxwell Azarello who was born in 1987. According to his driver’s license, he is from St Augustine, Florida.According to police, the accelerant that was used “appears to be some kind of alcohol-based substance that’s used for cleaning.”
Speaking about the pamphlets found at the scene, police said that the “pamphlets seem to be propaganda-based, almost like a conspiracy theory type of pamphlets.” Police added that they spoke to Maxwell Azarello’s family members who said that they were unaware “that he was even in New York.” Police also said they believe Azarello arrived in New York “some time earlier in the week.”
Police also said Maxwell Azarello did not breach security protocols but noted, “Of course we’re going to review our security protocols.” “We’ll talk with our federal partners and we’ll make decisions if we need to tighten up security. Maybe we’ll shut down the park. That is something that will determine once we talk with all our partners,” police added.
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Post by Webster on Apr 19, 2024 17:00:44 GMT -5
(The Guardian) NYPD: 'we do not believe this was targeting any particular person or a particular group'“We do have a vehicle identified that’s connected to him. We’re currently searching that car,” police said. “We do not believe this was targeting any particular person or a particular group. We just right now labelled him as a sort of conspiracy theorist and we’ll go from there but the investigation will continue,” police added.
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Post by Webster on Apr 19, 2024 17:01:47 GMT -5
(The Guardian) Right now, the prosecution and defense are squaring off over what Donald Trump could be asked by prosecutors during cross-examination if he took the witness stand.
The prosecutors previously submitted documents indicating that they wanted to ask Donald Trump about a variety of trials should he testify, to challenge his credibility as a witness. These include sexual assault accuser E. Jean Carroll’s defamation cases against him. As the hearing progressed, Trump’s attorney Emil Bove said that asking Trump about the verdict in Carroll’s cases on cross-examination would be “unacceptable.” Bove, who reiterated Trump’s denial of Carroll’s claim and said it “very much did not happen,” said the allegations were “too far back in time” to be used in any potential challenge to Trump’s credibility. Moreover, Bove argued, “To bring up Ms Carroll’s allegations at this trial sort of pushes the salaciousness on to another level. This is a case about documents.” The prosecution insisted: “That’s critical, critical evidence that the jury ought to be able to consider…if he testifies.”
Judge Juan Merchan is telling Donald Trump’s defense team – which has repeatedly challenged and re-challenged rulings he has made – to stop trying to have another bite at the apple. “At this point, what’s happened is defense is literally targeting individual decisions, one by one by one by one, and filing pre-motion letters,” Merchan said. “As the people suggested a minute ago, that has to end. There comes a point when you accept my rulings,” Merchan said, adding that proceedings were not going to be bogged down. “We’re going to have opening statements Monday morning,” Merchan said, “This trial is starting.”
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Post by Webster on Apr 19, 2024 17:03:57 GMT -5
(The Guardian) 4:55pm Summary--After days of jury selection, the court has finally chosen all 12 jurors and 6 alternate jurors who will decide the fate of Donald Trump in his historic criminal trial. The selection of all 18 jurors came not without setbacks, as judge Juan Merchan dismissed two seated jurors earlier this week over identity and credibility concerns. --Judge Juan Merchan told Donald Trump’s defense team – which has repeatedly challenged and re-challenged rulings he has made – to stop trying to have another bite at the apple. “At this point, what’s happened is defense is literally targeting individual decisions, one by one by one by one, and filing pre-motion letters,” Merchan said, adding that opening statements are going to happen on Monday morning. --The prosecutors previously submitted documents indicating that they wanted to ask Donald Trump about a variety of trials should he testify, to challenge his credibility as a witness. These include sexual assault accuser E. Jean Carroll’s defamation cases against him. As the hearing progressed, Trump’s attorney Emil Bove said that asking Trump about the verdict in Carroll’s cases on cross-examination would be “unacceptable.” --A man set himself on fire outside the Manhattan criminal court where Donald Trump’s criminal trial was under way. The man has been identified as Maxwell Azarello who was born in 1987. According to his driver’s license, he is from St Augustine, Florida. --Maxwell Azarello has been described as a “conspiracy theorist” by police and had pamphlets on scene which police described as “propaganda-based.” He is in critical condition at Weill Cornell’s burn unit.
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Post by Newsman on Apr 22, 2024 11:17:56 GMT -5
 ...for the first time in American history, an American president (or in this case a former President) goes on trial in a criminal case...(The Guardian) Hush-money trial to hear opening statements Well, after all the appeals and bombast and tears, it’s finally here: opening statements in the first criminal trial of a US president. Jury selection in the case of the People of the State of New York versus Donald Trump wrapped up last week, though not without some difficulty. Hundreds of prospective jurors were dismissed, several cried and a couple of them quit after they were chosen. But at last Judge Juan Merchan has landed on 18 people (12 jurors and six alternates) living in Manhattan who say they don’t have strong enough opinions about Donald Trump to bias them against the facts. And facts there are aplenty. Prosecutors accuse Trump of falsifying business records in order to cover up an attempt to influence the 2016 election. Specifically, they say he tried right before that election – at a time when was already facing serious heat because of the Access Hollywood tape, in which he bragged he could sexually assault women because he was famous – to buy the silence of a porn star, Stormy Daniels, who says she had an affair with him 10 years before. Prosecutors say Trump feared yet another sex scandal could sink his election prospects, so he paid her to keep silent about the affair, his coercive behavior in the bedroom, and of course his “toadstool”. It’s going to be edifying. We’re at the courthouse. Stay with us. |
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