- The Manhattan trial of Trump Organization tax fraud took three days to place the jury.
- Two men from the minority, predominantly male jury were convicted by the defense for their opinions on Trump.
- Trump is disliked by 3 jurors, who could face $2 million in fines, if convicted.
Donald Trump’s business is being investigated for tax fraud before a jury that is mostly minority, mostly male, and that includes two men who the defense tried — and failed — to challenge due to their stated qualms about the former president.
Opening statements will be made Monday in the criminal case. The defendant is not Trump, but his $3B real-estate-and-golf-resort empire. He is charged with a scheme over 15 years to avoid payroll taxes by paying executives untaxed, off the books compensation such as luxury cars and rent-free apartments.
Sitting in judgment of the Trump Organization, of which all of the leadership is white and male, will be four women — just one of them white. Two of the eight men selected were white and one is from Honduras.
Nearly all those selected participated in a speedy jury selection Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday at the state Supreme Court in Manhattan. They expressed an opinion on the former president.
These include three people who are openly hostile to the former president but were elected anyway, despite repeatedly promising fairness and impartiality.
The defense simply did not have enough challenges to chase off the large number of Manhattan residents in the jury pool — well over half — who, when asked, expressed negative opinions of Trump.
While Trump isn’t on trial and won’t be appearing in court, one prosecutor compared Trump’s presence to “the elephant not present in the room.”
Any trial about the guilt or innocence of the Trump Organization will hinge on proving the actions, or inactions, of the man at the top of the company — and on whether his immediate underlings took 15 years of luxury cars and free apartments all on their own or without his say so.
Six other jurors must be chosen.
Here’s the jury.
Juror 1The Inwood grandmother who works in the city’s public hospitals is the forewoman. She said that she likes to meditate. She said that she doesn’t read news and had no opinion on Trump.
Juror 2He is unemployed and lives in Washington Heights with his mother. He watched Spanish news channels and did not have a strong opinion about the former president. However, he said that Donald Trump was only a small problem.
Juror 3A East Harlem retired woman, she is married and has adult children. She also likes to crochet. She stated in court that Trump was President of the United States. “And of course, when something happened in this country … I would be upset about things. However, I don’t think that this applies in this case. In the past, I have felt feelings. But I will try my best. I will comply with the instructions.”
Juror 4He is a Washington Heights resident, Honduran native, and married father of two adult children. He is also a paraprofessional. He expressed no opinion about Trump’s company.
Juror 5: Hell’s Kitchen resident. She is a self-employed author editor who has worked for 25 years on medical texts. She laughed that she writes and reads fiction as a hobby. On Trump, she said, “I didn’t vote for him. And I would have voted for other Supreme Court justices than those he chose.
Juror 6He is a retired city employee and lives in Washington Heights. He is also interested in “civil Justice” and “environmental advocacy.” For news, “I use the internet to search for the news that cable and broadcast companies don’t have,” including stories on “income disparity.”
Juror 7Harlem-based retiree, his hobbies include music and “anything outside.” When asked if he was against the idea of tax payments, he replied: “I’ve been paying tax for 65 years.” Trump said that he didn’t feel any emotions about Trump. “Not like that.”
Juror 8: Murray Hill resident, working as a “retailer” in a discount chain shop. He said that he used to think Trump was funny before he became president. He then became a bit crazy and narcissistic. … That’s really it. That was the only reason I didn’t like him as president. Not policy.
Juror 9He enjoys reading, gaming and listening to music in his spare time. He watches the news only for traffic and weather reports. Trump replied, “Yes, my opinions are valid, but I am able to be objective.” He didn’t give details about his opinions.
Juror 10He was Macy’s custodian. He said that he had strong opinions about Trump but could be fair. He said, “I’m neutral” with Trump. “I understood that he was president. Whatever his issues were, he was not without fault. But … I’m not going to cloud my judgment. I try to be fair on all levels. He said, “I struggled with that last evening.” “Then I said, “Let me look at the evidence before I make a decision.”
Juror 11He said that he was a Midtown father of three and did “porter work” for a real-estate management company. He denied having a strong opinion about Trump and his company. “I mean, I think everyone has an opinion about Trump but I don’t really understand.”
Juror 12France native, he is now a portfolio manager. He lives in New York 11 years. He said that he does not have strong opinions on Trump or his company.
