Thread by @innercitypress

OK - #TrumpTrial Day 4 - and last? - of jury selection, amid issues of what can or should be reported: not jurors' place of employment, but political links? Inner City Press wrote the book on Carroll v Trump & will live tweet, thread belowamazon.com/dp/B0CTFPXKGM

All rise!
Clerk: This is the People of the State of New York against Donald J. Trump.
Justice Merchan: I'm told that all 22 jurors are already here. Any reason we cannot bring them in? We are still working on the temperature in the courtroom
[It *is* cold]

Justice Merchan: Jurors, you're to answer the questionnaire. Please begin by reading your three digit number out loud.
428 (lady) I have anxiety. I may not be able to not be emotional. People can figure out I'm here, just from not being present.
Excused

441 (woman) I am originally from Spain. I am currently not working. My hobbies are art, special events. I don't below to any organizations. I've never been on a jury. I used to watch the news, no more. Do I listen or watch podcasts? Never!

441 (con't - she is reading out each question before answering it). 23? I only take Tylenol. 24? I'm flexible, I don't work... I did not sign up for any newsletters from Mr. Trump. I don't have SnapChat
Justice Merchan: You don't need to read the questions

441 (con't) I have never read those books... I give my assurance I will not discuss this case with anyone.
Justice Merchan: Thank you.
706 (woman) I live in Hell's Kitchen. I'm from The Bronx, originally. I work for the [voluntarily not reported]

706 (con't) TV on the couch is my favorite hobby. I like the Yankees. I used to be an amateur boxer. I've been sexually assaulted a couple times, and had my cell phone stolen. I might have read The Art of the Deal when I was younger. 42, no.

644 (woman) I've thought about it and could not be impartial.
Justice Merchan: You are excused.
616: I work in IT, I could help you fix these microphones. I live in Inwood. I work in [voluntarily not reported] Very little Facebook. 1 podcast, the order of man

447 (man) I work for a large hospitality group with over 6000 employees. My wife is a grant coordinator. Hobbies? Running, watching TV... Mostly YouTube. My wife is a lawyer but she does not practice. I follow the White House on Instagram, so I got Mr. Trump's

520 (woman) I live in the Gramercy neighborhood. I read the NYT, NY Post, WSJ and Fox News. I have an Instagram account for fashion and style, not a significant amount of followers. 42, no.
Justice Merchan: Thank you.

624 (woman, didn't give her number) I work for a publicly traded fintech with [voluntarily not reported number of] employees. I like to take my sons to Knick games and Rubik's Cube solving contests. Someone tried to hack my 401K

445 (man) I live in the Financial District. I'm originally from Europe. We founded an investment boutique firm for start ups. I traded derivatives trading in London. I am married, two adult daughters and one step-son. I don't know what he does for a living

445 (con't) I don't read much news, except Y Combinator
Judge Merchan: What?
445: Y Combinator. I listened back to back to NPR and Fox News, they are remarkably different. My grandfather was a commissioner at a local municipality

445: Question 19? Yes... it was difficult but the system seemed to do well.
[19. Have you, a relative, or a close friend ever been accused or convicted of committing a crime?]
445: I don't know who Mark Pomerantz is

483 (woman; didn't give number) I was in the music industry, on the management side. Now at a large educational institution. Not married, no children. I live alone with my dog. I watch hockey. I'm on the board of my synagogue. NYT, mostly NPR.

483: I'd like to attend seders in Jersey both Monday and Tuesday.
Justice Merchan: Would ending at 2 pm work for you?
483: Yes... 42, no.
647 (man) I'm a lifelong New Yorker. I was a teacher [schools voluntarily not reported] I advocate for funding for CUNY

647: Citizens United is the law of the land, but I do favor that everything should be made public. 42, no.
800 (woman) Can I jump to 26? I don't think I can be impartial.
Justice Merchan: You can step you.
456 (Man) I live on the Upper East Side with my wife.

456: I like to go outside, anything but sitting in front of a computer all day. I signed up for Facebook when I was in high school but I don't use it. WSJ, NPR, their podcast, I think it's pre-recorded. I was in private wealth management. 42, no.

561 (man) Let me say, I'm in an investment fund that into a podcast company that produces "Mea Culpa."
Justice Merchan: You may proceed.
561: I'm with a private equity fund, I'm a partner, we have about [voluntarily not reported number] employees. No children.

561: Mainly NYT, if I put on news it'd be MSNBC. Some thefts including home burglary. I voluntarily worked for Get Out the Vote during the Clinton Campaign. I attended the Women's March. 42, no.
557 (woman) I live in Chinatown. I have a high school diploma

596 (woman) I live uptown. Before that, NJ & [part of voluntarily withheld] Tennessee. I have a BS in mechanical engineering. Married, no children. I practice yoga. I use Google for search engine capabilities. I have an X account. I listen to the Random pod

596 (con't) I listen to talk radio when I'm down South and have to drive a lot. I have several close friends who are felons. I'm good with the time as long as we get to eat. 42, no.
Justice Merchan: Thank you.
596: You're welcome.

588 (woman) My father is a good personal friend of [a former state Governor, ID & state voluntarily not reported] I have a BA in psychology. I walk in Central Park. I get my news from the Bloomberg terminal at work. I listened to The Daily but too depressing

588: I'm Jewish but 2 pm on Monday and Tuesday would be fine. Michael Cohen's son works at my company - I could work with him but haven't yet.
651 (man) I have a relative who is a court officer in this room. I live in Midtown East. I used to work for [a GSE].

651: Not married, never been married, no kids. Trying to find a wife in spare wife in my spare time. I could stay as long as you like. I will listen to your instructions.
468 (woman) I live in Chelsea, I'm from Florida. I'm a corporate lawyer, my husband too

468 (con't) I do leverage finance and markets. We have lawyer friends. I have an uncle who served time in prison. I was young, I don't really know the details.
620 (woman) I am divorced, I have three boys. I do whatever my kids want me to do in my spare time

662 (woman) You guys keep calling me back for jury service, but I did time in prison, I don't know why you keep calling me back.
Justice Merchan: Please approach.
[After a sidebar]
662: Sorry I cried. I used to be a dental hygienist but now can't do that legally

662: I have a child in the US Army. Another wants to be a politician or a lawyer. Hobby? I Facetime my kids and I actually have three grandchildren. I don't watch the news. Had a long time so I try to keep it chill now. I was a victim of domestic abuse

662: [Personal prison details voluntarily not reported] Catholic is what our background is. I don't go to Donald Trump rallies and don't know anyone who does. I'm a firm believer that when people do something they should be accountable, probably from my experience

763 (woman) I live in Battery Park City. I did participate in the Women's March and posted it on my Instagram. I listen to podcasts about entrepreneurship and reality TV. I was mugged when I was younger. 42, no.
Justice Merchan: We're going to break 10 minutes.

Justice Merchan: We've been in touch with the commissioner of jurors. She is disqualified today. I'd like to bring her in and explain it to her. Any question about that? The record [of the sidebar?] will be sealed.

Justice Merchan: I've been in touch with the commissioner of jurors. The mere fact that you did time should not disqualify you. You can get a certificate.
662: Thank you. Good luck. [Laughter in courtoom]

(Other) prospective jurors come back in.
Justice Merchan: The lawyers will question you.
Prosecutor Susan Hoffinger: This is not about Donald Trump being a former President, and now running for the office again. Could you be fair? 441?
441: I have no objection

Hoffinger: You won't prejudge a person before of what they've previously said?
A: Burden of proof is subjective to each juror?
Hoffinger: There is only one burden of proof. If someone wrote a book or did a podcast critical of Mr. Trump, would you listen?
A: Yes

588: I feel nervous and anxious (sobbing) I thought I could do this. I wouldn't want someone on my jury that was this anxious. I'm sorry if I've wasted your time.
Justice Merchan: Please come up [sidebar, then] The witness is excused.

[The *juror* was excused]
Hoffinger: We're going to be showing you a lot of documents. 445, sir, someone who has pled guilty in the past, will you keep listening to them?
445: People are complicated. What you are doing here is important. I will not prejudge.

Hoffinger: If we do our job and prove his guilt, what will your verdict be?
A: Guilty.
Hoffinger: And if we didn't prove it?
A: Not guilty.
[Next prosecutive juror: Same answers]
Hoffinger: So, guilty?
A: Yes. Guilty.
Hoffinger: Thank you.

Trump's lawyer Necheles: I appreciate your candor. We are trying to understand biases. The prosecutor, what she said was just her opinion. Any problem with putting that aside? If witnesses have committed perjury?
Juror who read out the questions: It depends

Voice: Could I approach the bench? Though this line of questioning I'm getting the same anxiety and doubt
[Sidebar]
Justice Merchan: Excused.

Necheles, to juror whose employer we voluntarily did not report
Juror: If a person said they were hurt in Rikers but they're on Facebook at Cochella, moving around, I'd have to save the clip

Necheles: You were at the Women's March, it was anti-Trump?
Juror: Women's solidarity, I'd say.
Necheles: You don't like President Trump's policies?
Juror: I don't really know what they are.

Necheles: What is your view of President Trump:
Juror who listens to Order of Man: It doesn't matter.
Necheles: You will hear that President Trump was unfaithful - would that impact your decision?
Juror: No.
2d juror: I saw Trump as just a normal person like me

Necheles: Juror 624 - your opinion of President Trump?
624: No strong opinions.
Necheles: 445?
445: It has 5 answers. Person. Politician. Businessman. I don't know him. He's a family man, you see his results. It's tricky with the Republican party. I like low tax

445: I like less regulations for start ups. But the Republicans, putting religion into people lives, and women's bodies, we part ways.
Necheles: There was something you didn't want to discuss?
445: I'm OK discussing it at the fence [sidebar]

Necheles: 647, opinion of President Trump?
647: There's been so much thrown around, I try to ignore it.
Necheles: Have you posted about him?
647: I don't remember. I mostly post about schools.
Necheles: 456 - it's a nice number - are you going to play it today?

456: I have friends on both sides.
Necheles: Next juror, have you posted about President Trump?
Juror: In 2016, and around the insurrection. I used to see Trump Tower as a symbol, when I came from NJ. Now, lies against people. I'm reasonable and fair.

Judge Merchan: Jurors, I'll ask you to step outside as the lawyers make their decisions.
[Prospective jurors leave]

Judge Merchan: As to Seat 2, any challenges? Seat 2 is alternate 2. Seat 3?
Trump's lawyer Necheles: She said Trump enables homophobic and racist comments.
ADA Hoffinger: She said she does not hold him responsible for his followers
Justice Merchan: Bring her in

Justice Merchan: Walk us through what you said.
Seat 3 / 706: His followers feel emboldened by his rhetoric. There was speeches like the "both sides" thing. Does that make sense?
Justice Merchan: Could you separate things?
706: Yes.

Justice Merchan: And the boxing community?
706: It felt like people were emboldened to judge me as a woman in that space, there were issues in that community. I live in Hell's Kitchen. It's a very progressive space.
[706 leaves]

Necheles: She feels President Trump emboldened discrimination against her personally.
Justice Merchan: I think the safer course is to grant excusal for cause.
Justice Merchan: Seat 5 becomes Alternate 3. Seat 8 because Alternate 4. Seat 11?
Necheles: For cause

Necheles: He posted about that massive anti-Trump rally by the United Nations
Justice Merchan: It says, Enormous crowds, great signs, I love NY.... A sign contains profanity. Another sign, he posted My sentiment exactly.
Hoffinger: You could question him

Justice Merchan: Bring him in, B647... You said you didn't remember posting. I'll show you some.
647: I guess they're mine. I don't remember this. I did go. The rally was by my house. I took pictures.
Justice Merchan: Do you have a particular interest in signs?

647: I thought they were interesting.
Justice Merchan: And you said you live right down the street from there, One United Nations Plaza?
647: Yes.
Hoffinger: It was in his neighborhood. He's a New Yorker and a teacher, it was a New York moment.

Justice Merchan: He told us he thought it was a women's rally, but he tagged it as "massive anti-Trump rally." We've come too far in this case to take a chance. I'm going to grant a challenge for cause.
Necheles: Next juror, look at these tweets.

Necheles: He wrote egomaniacal incompetence. This juror wrote, I do believe that he actually is the Devil.
Justice Merchan: Bring in 561. Are these yours?
561: These are not my posts.
Justice Merchan: You wrote, the Devil. Do still feel that?
561: More or less.

Justice Merchan: 561 is excused for cause... 556 is Alternate 5. What about Seat 18? [Prosecution uses peremptory, it seems] Seat 20 becomes alternate number six. I think we have a full panel.

[Prospective jurors file in]
Clerk: Alternate 2, B441. Alternate 3, B616. Alternate 4, B624. Alternate 5, B557. And Alternate 6, B 620.
Clerk: Satisfactory to the People? Defense? [Yes
Jury is sworn in]
Justice Merchan: The trial will start 9:30 Monday.

Programming note: while the jury has been selected, up next at 3:15 pm is the so-called Sandoval hearing, about what the prosecutors would aim to ask Trump if he does, as he said at Mar-a-Lago he will, testify. Will live tweet it, watch this feed