New York Judge Juan Merchan told jurors this week to prepare to hear opening statements on Monday.
Former President Donald Trump spent the week in the Manhattan Criminal Court. After four days jurors have been selected to decide his fate. It is the first criminal trial of a former president.
Twelve jurors and six alternates were finalized on Friday. Opening arguments are expected to begin on Monday.
Trump faces 34 felony counts alleging that he falsified New York business records in order to conceal damaging information to influence the 2016 presidential election. Trump claims the trial itself is « election interference » because of how it is disrupting his 2024 bid for president.
Speaking to reporters outside the courtroom earlier in the week, Trump lamented that he is unable to make campaign stops in other states because New York law requires him to be present for his criminal trial, which takes place four days a week.
« I’m supposed to be in a lot of different places campaigning. But I’ve been here all day on a trial that really is a very unfair trial, » Trump said Thursday after the court session ended.
The Trump campaign has announced two upcoming rallies: one in North Carolina on Saturday, and one in south New Jersey on Saturday, May 11.
Nearly 300 prospective jurors went through the selection process. They were questioned about their opinions on Trump, their social media history, and their backgrounds.
The jurors range from all over Manhattan, including Harlem, Hell’s Kitchen, Murray Hill and the Upper West Side.
