![Trump back in court as jury takes shape](https://www.berlinertageblatt.de/media/shared/articles/2d/85/e2/Trump-back-in-court-as-jury-takes-s-478842.jpg)
-
Coughlin clings to lead at LPGA Canadian Women's Open
-
Trump offers tech sector policy flips ahead of election
-
Spacecraft to swing by Earth, Moon on path to Jupiter
-
What's the fallout of Mexican drug lords' capture?
-
Video game makers see actors as AI 'data,' says union on strike
-
Chinese qualifier Shang to face Thompson in ATP Atlanta semis
-
Concern grows as Venezuela blocks election observers
-
'Massive attack' on French rail threatens more chaos
-
'We did it!': France breathes sigh of relief after Olympics ceremony
-
Blinken, in Laos, set for talks with Chinese foreign minister
-
Regional concern grows as Venezuela blocks vote observers
-
Historic river parade, Dion show-stopper ignite Paris Olympics
-
Rainy Paris Olympic parade dampens many spectators' spirits
-
G20 pledges to work together to tax ultra-rich
-
The one of a kind Paris opening ceremony: five memorable moments
-
Justin Timberlake seeks to dismiss DUI case
-
Warner Brothers Discovery sues NBA over Amazon rights deal
-
Kobe Bryant locker, Maradona jersey up for auction in New York
-
Historic river parade launches Paris Olympics
-
Stocks rise as US inflation data boosts rate cut hopes
-
New York family of Holocaust victim reclaims Nazi-looted art
-
NASA Mars rover captures rock that could hold fossilized microbes
-
Thousands evacuate season's biggest wildfire in northern California
-
Sinaloa Cartel co-founder pleads not guilty after stunning US capture
-
Ethiopia mourns victims of landslide tragedy
-
Lady Gaga adds sparkle to star-studded Olympic show
-
Airbus and Boeing supremacy secure despite turbulence
-
Teams sail down Seine in rain-soaked Olympics opening ceremony
-
Norris hoping for more after topping Belgian practice times
-
West Indies' treble strike rocks England in third Test
-
Trump slams rivals as he meets Netanyahu in Florida
-
Olympic opening ceremony under way on River Seine
-
Mott's England future uncertain as ECB chief fails to offer support
-
Trump meets Israeli PM Netanyahu in Florida
-
S.African police say 95 Libyans detained at suspected military camp
-
Blinken set for talks with Chinese counterpart in Laos
-
Norris heads Piastri in McLaren one-two at Belgian GP practice
-
G20 seeks common ground on taxing super-rich
-
European medicines watchdog rejects new Alzheimer's drug
-
Harris gets vital Obama backing in battle against Trump
-
Habib, Ebden eye Alcaraz and Djokovic shocks at Olympics tennis
-
Stocks rise as inflation data boosts rate cut hopes
-
Long queues, ticketing problems ahead of Paris opening ceremony
-
Two Sinaloa Cartel leaders face US charges after stunning capture
-
Spain train driver jailed for 2.5 years over deadly 2013 crash
-
Paris poised for Olympic opening ceremony spectacular
-
Judoka fails doping test in first case at Paris Olympics
-
Holder and Da Silva keep England at bay after West Indies collapse
-
Alpine F1 boss Bruno Famin to leave in August
-
Ethiopia declares three days of mourning after landslide tragedy
![Trump back in court as jury takes shape](https://www.berlinertageblatt.de/media/shared/articles/2d/85/e2/Trump-back-in-court-as-jury-takes-s-478842.jpg)
Trump back in court as jury takes shape
Donald Trump was back in court Thursday for his unprecedented criminal trial, with six jurors already chosen and the New York judge aiming to schedule opening arguments at the start of next week.
Trump -- accused of falsifying business records on the eve of his 2016 election victory while covering up an embarrassing alleged affair with a porn star -- motorcaded to the Manhattan courthouse from his luxury apartment building.
Wearing a blue tie, he took his seat, frowning as defense attorneys bustled around him, setting up for the day.
The criminal trial, expected to last six to eight weeks, is the first ever for a former US president and comes as Trump is taking on President Joe Biden in a bid to make a shock return to the White House in November.
The Republican faces three other criminal cases, including on far more serious charges of attempting to overturn his 2020 election loss to Biden, but these have been repeatedly delayed.
Trump, who pleaded not guilty in New York, has been ordered by Judge Juan Merchan to attend every day, forcing the scandal-tainted real estate tycoon and hard-right populist to exchange the campaign trail for the unglamorous confines of a rundown courthouse.
For now, all the action centers on picking 12 jurors and six reserves to sit in judgment on one of the most famous and controversial men in the country less than seven months from election day. A unanimous verdict will be required to convict Trump.
Seven had been successfully picked by Tuesday -- following vetting by defense and prosecution lawyers -- but on Thursday one asked to be excused, saying that on reflection she could not be impartial.
Merchan said he thinks opening arguments could begin as early as Monday.
- Warned by judge -
The reality that Trump is no longer in control of his image -- or fate -- while in court is something that the former president, a born showman who has constantly flouted the norms and rules of political life, has rarely experienced.
The judge has made it clear he will tolerate none of Trump's habitual grandstanding, sternly warning him earlier this week when he began to mutter and gesture towards prospective jurors.
"I will not have any jurors intimidated in this courtroom," Merchan said.
Merchan has also warned Trump against intimidating people connected to the case on social media.
The judge scheduled a hearing next week to consider whether Trump should already be held in contempt for violating a partial gag order.
And jurors will remain anonymous to protect them from possible bribery or attack, though the selection process has already revealed much information about them, raising fears that they could be identified.
- Jury difficulties -
On Monday, more than half of the first batch of 96 candidates were excused after signaling they could not be impartial.
Then on Tuesday, prospective jurors were grilled on their media consumption, political donations and education.
Candidates were then asked about their social media posts -- with several posts critical of Trump read out to the court. One juror was excused for previously calling for Trump to be "locked up."
If convicted, Trump would potentially face prison, but legal observers say fines would be more likely.
L.Janezki--BTB