Speed of Trump jury selection surprises after predictions of drawn-out slugfest
CBC
Seven jurors were empanelled by the second day of Donald Trump's trial Tuesday, leaving only five slots plus several backups unfilled.
It was faster than most had predicted for the historic and unusual criminal trial.
Analysts had predicted it might take two weeks or more to select a jury for the highest-ranking U.S. politician ever to face a criminal trial.
Regular citizens were grilled over old social media posts and political opinions. Some cracked under questioning, but a handful survived.
Empanelling a jury has been challenge No. 1 in the trial of Trump. People from myriad walks of life were asked for their opinion on one of the most opinion-generating humans on Planet Earth.
"[Everyone knows Trump] unless you've been living under a rock for the last eight years, or the last 30 years," assistant prosecutor Josh Steinglass told potential jurors.
This New York case, alleging Trump falsified business records, could be the only one of Trump's four cases headed to trial before this year's U.S. election.
It's begun with a tussle over what the jury looks like in a place where he's deeply disliked: In his former home of Manhattan, he drew just 12 per cent of the vote in 2020.
To begin the trial, the court needs five more jurors, plus a handful of alternates. The process could still last throughout the week, with Wednesday an off day.
The vast majority of people were dismissed, most for potential bias. Scores of others withdrew themselves, admitting they couldn't be impartial on Trump.
Making things more awkward: Trump was staring at these people while they answered.
He'd sit stone-faced through some replies and smile at others — like when candidates said they'd read his books or watched his TV show.
Some candidates danced around political questions with the skill of a presidential contender.
When asked for his view of Trump, one offered a colourful non-answer: The former president sure does elicit strong opinions.
