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Editor’s Note: This story has been updated to include developments regarding the judge’s decision to excuse a second juror on Thursday.
The jury selection process for former President Donald Trump’s “hush money” trial in New York City has not been going quickly nor smoothly — and things took another turn Thursday morning. After struggling to find jurors in the pool who said they could consider the case fairly and impartially, at least one individual who had been impaneled to the jury has now been excused by the judge.
Afemalejuror,“Juror#2,”whoworksasanoncologynurseandhadbiographicaldetails—includingheroccupationandotherinformationfromherresponsestothejurorquestionnaireandits42multi-partquestions—madepublictoldthejudgethatshehad“friends,colleagues,andfamilypushthingstomyphonequestioningmyidentityasajuror.”
“Aftersleepingonitovernight,”Juror#2toldthecourtshe“hasconcernsaboutherabilitytobefairandimpartial.”
Asaresult,JudgeJuanMerchanexcusedJuror#2,meaningtherearejustnowjustsiximp
