A potential juror: “I firmly believe in innocent until proven guilty — again, just as a lawyer.” Two attorneys are already on the jury.
A fifth potential juror has said that he's read Trump's "Art of the Deal." (The fourth appeared to indicate that he only read passages.)
A potential juror from Italy is excused after disclosing that he followed a lot of news about Silvio Berlusconi, the country's serially prosecuted ex-prime minister. It affects his ability to be fair, he says. Gone.
Assistant DA Joshua Steinglass kicks off voir dire of the jury. He has 30 minutes. "This case has nothing to do with your personal politics, or feelings about a political issue."
The female attorney who described her in-depth knowledge of the case earlier expressed concerns about her impartiality. “I’m worried that I know too much. I know academically as a lawyer that I can put it aside, but I’m worried that it will seep in at some point.”
One of the potential jurors met one of Trump's lawyers, Susan Necheles, through her husband some 15 years ago.
ADA Steinglass illustrates a legal concept, accessory liability, with an analogy about a hypothetical hit-man — the point of which, he adds, is to see whether they can follow the law.
Steinglass illustrates another legal concept about tacit agreements—which appears less hypothetical. He notes alleged conspiracies aren't always explicit as saying: “Hey, let’s commit election fraud! Let’s pull the wool over the voters’ eyes in order to get elected.”
After this remark, the defense objects, and the judge overrules. The DA's theory of the case is that Trump disguised payments to cover-up his alleged affair with Stormy Daniels in order influence the 2016 presidential election.
Leading voir dire for Trump's defense this round is Susan Necheles Attorney Todd Blanche led the last two rounds.