The judge in Donald Trump's historic criminal trial on Tuesday warned the Republican presidential hopeful against intimidating jurors as seven panelists were chosen with unexpected speed following questioning by both sides, reports BSS.
There had been speculation that jury selection could take weeks in such a high-profile and sensitive case -- the first criminal trial of a former US president, who also is running to return to the White House this November.
But Judge Juan Merchan ended the session saying he was hopeful opening arguments could begin as early as Monday.
After a preliminary phase in Trump's trial in which prospective jurors could opt out if they felt unable to be impartial or had extenuating circumstances, defense attorneys and prosecutors began questioning the candidates in depth.
Twelve jurors in total are needed, and six alternates will also be chosen.
For Trump to be convicted of his alleged fraud in a scheme to cover up an embarrassing alleged extramarital encounter with a porn star, the jury must render a unanimous verdict. Even one dissenting voice would see him walk free.
Merchan cautioned Trump at one point that his muttering was audible to one juror who faced scrutiny over social media posts.
"I will not have any jurors intimidated in this courtroom," Merchan said.
Trump, 77, has been ordered by Merchan to be in court daily, putting a major hitch in his campaign plans.
"I should be right now in Pennsylvania and Florida -- in many other states, North Carolina, Georgia -- campaigning," Trump said in angry remarks outside the court. He called Merchan "Trump-hating."
Meanwhile, President Joe Biden spent the day touting his economic policies in a visit to his birthplace in Scranton, Pennsylvania -- a key swing state he narrowly carried in the 2020 election.
Bd-pratidin English/Tanvir Raihan
