The jury selection process for Donald Trump’s New York criminal trial concluded on Friday afternoon, paving the way for prosecutors and defense attorneys to deliver opening statements next week.
Comprising 12 jurors and six alternates, the panel will assess evidence in a historic trial determining whether a former U.S. president falsified business records to conceal a payment made to a pornographic performer in exchange for her silence.
The jury composition includes seven men and five women, primarily employed in white-collar professions. Among them are two corporate lawyers, a software engineer, a speech therapist, and an English teacher. Most jurors are not native New Yorkers, originating from various parts of the United States and countries such as Ireland and Lebanon.
Trump stands accused of orchestrating a cover-up of a $130,000 payment made by his former attorney, Michael Cohen, to pornographic actress Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election.
The payment was allegedly intended to suppress allegations of a past sexual encounter between Trump and Daniels, whose legal name is Stephanie Clifford.
Trump has pleaded not guilty to 34 counts of falsifying business records, as brought forth by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. He vehemently denies any involvement in the alleged encounter with Daniels.
This trial marks one of four criminal cases in which Trump has pleaded not guilty. However, it is the only case slated for trial before the November 5 election, during which Trump aims to secure the Republican nomination and challenge Democratic President Joe Biden for the presidency once more.
