New York, NY – The jury selection process for former President Donald Trump’s hush money trial in Manhattan entered its third day, with a panel of 12 New Yorkers now seated after two jurors were dismissed on Thursday. The jury consists of seven men and five women, with the court currently working to fill six alternate spots. Judge Juan Merchan expressed hope that the selection process for alternates would be completed by Friday.

During the jury selection process, potential jurors faced questioning from lawyers, with one juror being dismissed for concerns about her identity being revealed by the media. Another juror was excused after prosecutors questioned the accuracy of his responses to attorney inquiries. The day started with a pool of 96 potential jurors, which was narrowed down to 38 individuals for further questioning.

Both the prosecution and defense teams utilized their peremptory strikes, with two potential jurors dismissed for cause by the judge. Despite challenges brought up by both sides, one potential juror who admitted bias against Trump was allowed to remain on the jury. Trump himself was present in court, turning his chair to face the jury box and watching as prospective jurors expressed disagreement with his policies or personal dislike for him.

Looking ahead, Merchan swore in a new panel of potential jurors who will reconvene on Friday to continue the selection of alternates. Meanwhile, prosecutors have accused Trump of violating a gag order multiple times through online posts, prompting a hearing scheduled for the following Tuesday to address the matter. The order was initially issued to prevent Trump from making statements about witnesses, jurors, prosecutors, court staff, or their family members.

With the jury now in place, the trial is set to proceed with the next phase of selecting alternates. The case involves allegations of hush money payments made by Trump prior to his presidency, and the selection of a fair and impartial jury is crucial to ensuring a just and thorough legal process. Stay tuned for further updates as the trial progresses in Manhattan.