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.
Necheles prods one of the potential jurors about her social media activity. She says she hasn't posted much about Trump "recently." "Since the whole COVID situation [...] politics seems like a nasty thing to be posting about during a national crisis."
A potential juror tells Trump's attorney: “I disagree with most of his policies,” referring to the former president.
Necheles notes that Trump tends to inspire strong opinions, describing the concept of implicit bias. “We wouldn’t allow someone who has a strong dislike for a certain type of people to sit on a jury of that type of person.”
Asked her opinions about Trump, a potential juror supplies a New York answer: "I’ve got opinions. I’m born and raised in Brooklyn and New York." She sprinkles in a New York story — seeing Trump and Marla Maples shopping for "baby things."
She suggests that experiences like that shape her opinions and perceptions about Trump both ways.
Another potential juror says flatly of Trump: "I don't have strong opinions about him, but I don't like his persona." She adds that it won't affect her ability to be impartial.
In a comical moment, the potential juror says that it doesn't matter because she also doesn't like some of her co-workers. The judge doesn't hear her, and asks her to repeat that. She does, sheepishly. Overflow room roars with laughter.
(The point was that she could set aside her views about Trump, just as she does about those co-workers.)
@KlasfeldReports Honestly, I respect that answer. I haven't liked all of my co-workers over the years but that's never stopped me from working with them in a professional manner.
@KlasfeldReports this is so hilarious it makes my day, and not just mine obviously from the court room reaction lol
@KlasfeldReports The overflow room would be my dream way to cover this. You get a camera on donald, and are surrounded by other smart people (mostly)