Share this @internewscast.com

The New York judge presiding over former President Donald Trump’s hush money case ruled Thursday that he’ll use an anonymous jury when the case goes to trial this month.

While Trump and attorneys in the case will know the identities of the jurors, their names will be shielded from the press and the public, Judge Juan Merchan said in his order, citing “a likelihood of bribery, jury tampering, or of physical injury or harassment of juror(s).”

The judge said his order applies only to jurors’ identities and addresses, and had been requested by prosecutors from the Manhattan district attorney’s office and consented to by Trump’s attorneys.

“To be clear, the parties have not requested, and this Court has not agreed, to close the Courtroom during jury selection or at any other time during the proceedings. Access to the courtroom by the public and the press will not be tempered in any way as a result of these protective measures,” Merchan said.

He also granted a request by Trump’s attorneys to “minimize potential prejudice” to their client by not notifying the jurors of the protective measures and giving “neutral explanations” if they ask about them. He asked both sides to jointly submit “proposed neutral explanations” by March 15, and said if they can’t agree on language, to file separate suggestions by March 18.

Jury selection is scheduled to begin March 25.

Trump is charged with falsifying business records related to hush money payments that his then-attorney Michael Cohen paid to adult film actor Stormy Daniels in the closing days of the 2016 presidential campaign. Trump has pleaded not guilty in the case, which will be the first of four pending criminal cases against him to go to trial.

The Manhattan DA’s office had also asked Merchan to warn Trump “that any harassing or disruptive conduct that threatens the safety or integrity of the jury may result in forfeiture of Defendant’s access to juror names.” The judge said he will rule on that issue when he decides on the DA’s request for a partial gag order barring Trump from bashing witnesses and court staff members in order to “protect the integrity of this criminal proceeding.”

The trial will not be the first Trump case with an anonymous jury.

The New York federal judge who presided over writer E. Jean Carroll’s two defamation trials against Trump used anonymous juries, noting the former president’s often inflammatory rhetoric about the justice system and the threats from his supporters that sometimes follow.

“For purposes of this order, it matters not whether Mr. Trump incited violence in either a legal or a factual sense. The point is whether jurors will perceive themselves to be at risk,” U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan, who oversaw the defamation trials, wrote in a ruling last year. He also cited “the strong likelihood of unwanted media attention to the jurors, influence attempts, and/or harassment or worse by supporters of Mr. Trump [and/or by Mr. Trump himself].”

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Dublin protesters clash with police, burn vehicle after migrant accused of sexually assaulting Irish girl

Dublin Protests Erupt into Violence Following Allegations of Sexual Assault by Migrant

In a tense escalation of unrest, a police car was set ablaze…
Making daylight saving time permanent: Where all 50 states stand

Daylight Saving Time: A State-by-State Guide to Permanent Adoption Plans

Is it finally the right moment to abandon the semi-annual clock change?…
Lewis Hamilton mourns beloved dog ahead of Mexico's Day of the Dead

Lewis Hamilton Honors Late Dog During Mexico’s Day of the Dead Remembrance

MEXICO CITY, Oct 23 – Lewis Hamilton has shared how the recent…
Jaxson Dart welcomes Eagles crowd’s ‘hostility’ for pivotal Giants game in South Philly

Jaxson Dart Embraces Intense Eagles Fans Ahead of Crucial Giants Matchup in South Philly

Jaxson Dart is well-acquainted with playing in unfriendly settings. The rookie quarterback…
Dems Cry ‘Voter Intimidation’ as DOJ Deploys Election Monitors to CA, NJ

DOJ Sends Election Monitors to California and New Jersey Amidst Voter Intimidation Concerns

The Department of Justice revealed on Friday its plan to deploy election…
Drug vessel destroyed in explosive strike by US military

US Executes Eighth Drug Vessel Strike in Eastern Pacific: Latest Military Action Revealed by Hegseth

The United States military executed a strike on a suspected drug-trafficking vessel…
12-year-old Minneapolis church shooting survivor shot in head released from hospital

Brave 12-Year-Old Minneapolis Church Shooting Survivor Triumphantly Returns Home After Head Injury Recovery

A 12-year-old girl, who was gravely injured during the shooting at Annunciation…
1 dead, 6 injured after shooting at Lincoln University in Pennsylvania: police

Tragic Shooting at Lincoln University in Pennsylvania Leaves 1 Dead, 6 Injured

A tragic incident unfolded at Lincoln University in Pennsylvania during the institution’s…
ICE, CBP seize 400 firearms hidden in fake trailer walls at southern border crossing

ICE and CBP Uncover 400 Firearms Concealed in False Trailer Walls at Southern Border Checkpoint

EXCLUSIVE TO FOX: In Laredo, Texas, a father and son have been…
Trump’s $230M DOJ settlement bid likely has few legal backstops

Trump’s $230M DOJ Settlement Proposal Faces Legal Hurdles, Experts Say

Former President Donald Trump is pursuing a substantial compensation claim, potentially amounting…
Chicago Halloween events: Pet costumes on display at 38th Annual Streeterville Dog Halloween Party at Museum of Contemporary Art

Unleash the Spooky Fun: 38th Annual Streeterville Dog Halloween Party at Chicago’s Museum of Contemporary Art

CHICAGO (WLS) — This past weekend, Chicago was the stage for a…
Chicago volunteers collecting food at El Pollo Cris Cris on SW Side for those in need amid high prices, looming SNAP benefits halt

Local Volunteers Rally at El Pollo Cris Cris to Support Families Facing Rising Costs and SNAP Uncertainty

CHICAGO — As inflation continues to push prices skyward, many families are…