Trump come into the courtroom, blue suit and blue tie, this time. Defense lawyer Susan Necheles plugging in her laptop. Trump is, as before, between Blanche and Bove
All rise! Clerk: This is the People of the State of New York versus Donald Trump. Justice Merchan: Wait, do we have a court reporter? No? That's not good. We'll need to do that again. In the meantime, counsel, please approach. [Whispered sidebar]
Take two: Clerk: This is the People of the State of New York against Donald J. Trump. Justice Merchan: We received a call yesterday from Juror Number 2, she said she has concerns about her ability to be fair. I directed her to be here at 9:15. Please bring her in.
Justice Merchan: It's Juror 280, is that right? [Juror enters] Justice Merchan: Good morning. What do you think? Juror 2: I have concerns. Yesterday alone I had friends and colleagues questioning my identity as a juror. I don't think I can avoid outside pressures
Justice Merchan: You are excused. I want to address the press. There's a reason this is an anonymous jury. Press is free to right about anything said here on the record. But please avoid physical descriptions - why mention Irish accent? [Inner City Press didn't]
Prosecutor Steinglass: Maybe we should not ask the questions about current and prior employers. Justice Merchan: I'm perfectly OK with that. I think it's a great suggestion. Trump's lawyer Susan Necheles: That's why we asked for a written questionnaire.
Justice Merchan: That's already happened. Trump's lawyer Blanche: We need to have the information about employers. Maybe direct the press not to report it [Note - many, not Inner City Press, reported the juror who works at a particular private school]
Justice Merchan: We need the information on employer. But we'll redact it - and I direct the press to not report those answers. There's case law on this [?] [Might be an appellate issues. fwiw here's Inner City Press brief filed yesterday: documentcloud.org/documents/2455…
Prosecutor Steinglass: Your Honor, the defendant has violated your order seven more times. He posted about Michael Cohen, "Serial Perjurer." The defendant posted it on his campaign website. Last night on Truth Social, an article against Michael Cohen
Prosecutor Steinglass: Most troublingly the defendant reposted about liberals lying to try to get on the jury, a post by Jesse Watters. We are considering options, what relief to ask for. Trump's lawyer Blanche: President Trump's responses are political in nature
Trump's lawyer Bove: We intend to brief whether reposting material that is already public can violate the order. Justice Merchan: I look forward to seeing that. We'll have the hearing, and after the hearing I'll rule. Bove: Can we have some additional time? A: No
Justice Merchan: I'd like to address Juror Number 4, even though they are not here. I was notified by Mr. Steinglass that the DA's office as part of their research had come across info that possibly called into question the veracity of Juror 4's answers.