Jury selection for Donald Trump’s criminal trial on charges of falsifying business records related to hush money payments continued for a fourth day.
So far, 12 jurors and one alternate have been seated, though two jurors were dismissed during the challenging process.
If convicted, Trump would become the first U.S. president to face a criminal trial.
One potential juror was excused after revealing connections to figures involved in the case, like Michael Cohen, that raised impartiality concerns.
The juror became emotional while expressing doubts about serving impartially.
“I feel so nervous and anxious right now,” she said.
She added, “I don’t want to waste the court’s time,” and confessed her doubts regarding her own impartiality. “I thought I could do this. This is so much more stressful than I thought it was going to be.”
The trial centers on allegations that payments to Stormy Daniels and Karen McDougal during the 2016 campaign amounted to finance violations or other crimes.
Prosecutors allege Trump directed records be altered to conceal the true nature of the payments, which could have influenced the election.
The case has drawn extensive media coverage due to Trump’s prominence.
Key testimony and scrutiny of financial transactions and communications pertaining to the payments will be pivotal.
The trial is expected to last two months.
