On Thursday, CNN senior legal analyst Elie Honig suggested that alternate jurors might be necessary to reach a verdict in former President Trump’s hush money trial, anticipating that some jurors might become unsettled and seek dismissal.
“Jurors get sick, jurors get freaked out. Some of them could be spooked by a social media post,” Honig explained to CNN’s Anderson Cooper, emphasizing the potential need for all six alternate jurors.
With all 12 jurors seated on Thursday and one alternate juror selected, nearly 100 potential jurors were excused earlier in the week for admitting their inability to remain impartial.
Donald Trump (Credits: The Hill)
Honig highlighted the challenge of dismissing jurors once they’re sworn in, acknowledging the possibility of losing one or two due to various factors such as illness or exposure to unauthorized information.
While Honig doesn’t anticipate cycling through all six alternates, he believes it’s plausible to lose a few jurors during the trial, citing instances like COVID-19 infections or inadvertent exposure to news coverage.
Donald Trump (Credits: CNN)
Judge Juan Merchan’s efficiency in managing the jury selection process received praise from Honig, who noted the judge’s efforts to maintain fairness and prevent the trial from becoming overly sensationalized.
Despite minor criticisms directed at reporters by Judge Merchan for disclosing prospective jurors’ details, Honig commended the conduct of both sides’ lawyers and expressed optimism about the trial’s expediency.
