Initial Jury Panel Assembled for Trump's New York Legal Battle

In the ongoing trial concerning hush money payments involving former President Donald Trump, the selection of jurors has begun in New York. This marks the first criminal trial faced by a former US President.

The prosecution, defense representatives, and Judge Juan Merchan conducted interviews with potential jurors, eventually agreeing on seven individuals on Tuesday. This decision came after no jurors were selected on the initial day. The search for the remaining five jurors may extend over several additional days.

Trump, known for his expansive real estate ventures, is accused of 34 counts of falsifying business records. These charges stem from an alleged scheme with his former attorney, Michael Cohen, aimed at concealing a $130,000 payment made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels.

Daniels asserts that the payment was intended to silence her about an alleged affair with Trump in 2006. While Trump has acknowledged the payment, he maintains it was made to prevent Daniels from making "false and extortionist accusations," denying any sexual encounter.

Pleading not guilty to all charges, Trump faces a potential maximum sentence of four years in prison if convicted. The trial, as indicated by the court, may extend up to eight weeks following the completion of jury selection.

Trump's legal team made concerted efforts to forestall, delay, or postpone the trial until the last possible moment. Despite the possibility of conviction and a subsequent prison sentence, Trump retains eligibility to run in future presidential elections.

Apart from this trial, Trump is entangled in three additional criminal proceedings and several civil lawsuits. He is poised for a rematch in the upcoming election against incumbent President Joe Biden, a Democrat, scheduled for November.

The trial proceedings are slated to resume on Thursday, continuing the legal saga surrounding Trump and his alleged involvement in the hush money scandal.