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Trump trial live updates: Jury selection begins in Trump's hush-money trial - BBC News Trump trial live updates: Jury selection begins in Trump's hush-money trial - BBC News
(32 minutes later)
Justice Merchan has explained to potential jurors what Trump has been charged with. Kayla Epstein
The allegations are that Trump falsified business records to conceal an agreement to unlawfully influence the 2016 presidential election. Reporting from court
"Specifically, it is alleged that Donald Trump made or caused false business records to hide the true nature of payments made to Michael Cohen" - his former lawyer - "by characterising them as payment for legal services". The cameras turned back on suddenly just a moment ago. I can now see 18 people seated in the jury box as voir dire - or questioning of the jury pool - begins.
Prosecutors allege the payments were intended to reimburse Cohen for money paid to porn star Stormy Daniels. The prospects are reading their responses to a long jury questionnaire one by one. Trump is holding a piece of paper that appears to be a copy of the question list. He is following along as the first jurors respond.
The payment, which was made in the weeks before the 2016 presidential election, was allegedly intended "to prevent her from publicly revealing details about a past sexual encounter with Donald Trump". About half of the first jury panel departed after saying it could not be impartial, and at
Ordinarily, falsifying business records is considered a misdemeanour - or low-level offence - in New York. least nine others were excused for undisclosed reasons.
But when it is done to conceal a crime - in this case alleged election interference - it can be elevated to a more serious felony charge. That should leave about a third of the 96 prospective jurors who just entered the courtroom a moment ago.
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