Legal analysts and experts are closely watching the ongoing trial of former President Donald Trump in New York. Opinions vary on what might happen.
Trump is facing charges linked to payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels during his 2016 presidential campaign.
He denies the charges and says they are politically motivated. If convicted, he would be the first former U.S. president to stand trial in a criminal case.
Fox News legal analyst Gregg Jarrett thinks the trial could be highly political. He says choosing a favorable jury could be crucial.
Jarrett points out that many Americans see Trump as a victim, not a villain, which could boost his support.
The trial judge, Juan Merchan, has prepared a detailed set of questions for potential jurors. The goal is to ensure fairness in selecting the jury.
Questions won’t directly ask about voting history, but they will cover media habits and attendance at political rallies.
There’s concern about how jurors sympathetic to Trump might influence the trial’s outcome. Jury consultant Robert Swafford says even one strong Trump supporter on the jury could lead to a hung jury, as a unanimous decision is needed for a conviction.
Finding biased jurors is a challenge. Some people may hide their true feelings, making it hard for the judge to pick a fair jury.
Former federal prosecutor Neama Rahmani points out how difficult it is to find unbiased jurors in such a high-profile case involving Trump.
As jury selection proceeds, legal experts and the public are closely watching the trial, waiting to see what happens next.