Mar 7, 2024,04:11pm EST
Judge Orders Secrecy for Jurors in Trump’s Hush Money Trial
In a ruling issued Thursday, New York Supreme Court Judge Juan Merchan decreed that the identities of jurors in former President Donald Trump’s trial over alleged hush money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels will remain confidential. Merchan cited concerns of potential tampering or harassment as grounds for the protective order.
KEY FACTS
- Merchan’s protective order ensures that while Trump, his legal team, and the Manhattan district attorney’s office will have access to juror identities, they will not be disclosed to the public.
- The judge expressed apprehension about the possibility of bribery, jury tampering, or harassment of jurors, particularly highlighting Trump’s history of attacking trial jurors and grand jurors.
- Trump is slated to face trial on March 25 in the case brought forth by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, marking the first indictment the former president has faced since leaving office.
KEY BACKGROUND
- In March 2023, a New York grand jury indicted Trump for falsifying business records related to payments of approximately $130,000 made to Daniels in 2016 to prevent her from divulging details about their alleged affair in 2006.
- The payments were purportedly orchestrated through Trump’s former attorney and fixer, Michael Cohen, who allegedly disguised them as legal fees.
- Trump pleaded not guilty to the charges and has continuously contested the legitimacy of the district attorney’s case against him.
TANGENT
- Trump has encountered criticism and substantial penalties for his disparaging remarks directed at judges and prosecutors during his civil fraud trial, where he was held liable and ordered to pay $364 million last month.
- Despite a gag order imposed by Judge Arthur Engoron, Trump persistently violated the order with social media attacks targeting Engoron, his family, and New York Attorney General Leticia James.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR
- The hush money trial coincides with several other high-profile legal proceedings involving Trump, including the Supreme Court’s consideration of his claim of “presidential immunity” in charges of election interference on April 25.
- Additionally, Trump faces trials for racketeering in Georgia and federal trials related to mishandling classified documents and his alleged role in the January 6 riots, although dates for these cases have yet to be scheduled.