All eyes on the complete jury panel with an unusual makeup

Day 4 of Trump New York hush money trial

From CNN's Jeremy Herb, Lauren del Valle and Kara Scannell in the courthouse

Updated 10:14 a.m. ET, April 20, 2024
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2:33 p.m. ET, April 19, 2024

All eyes on the complete jury panel with an unusual makeup

From CNN's Eva Rothenberg

Jury consultant Renato Stabile weighed in on the makeup of the jury after the selection process wrapped Friday afternoon.

"For sure alternates are going come into play because in a case like this, you're going to lose some of the regular jurors," he told CNN chief legal analyst Laura Coates.

Now that jury selection is complete, Stabile says lawyers on both sides will be monitoring the jurors' social media posts to make sure they don't comment publicly on the case.

The jury also includes at least two lawyers, a "very unusual" move that Stabile says is a big gamble.

"They're going to be leaders in the jury room. The other jurors are going to be looking for them for their legal analysis even though they're not supposed to be instructing on the law. ... On the defense, I think it's a very bold move."

Having people with legal expertise on the jury could pose a risk for either side.

It could negatively affect the prosecution by diverting clarifying questions that would otherwise go to the judge, Coates said. But lawyers on the jury could be beneficial to the defense, as they might be able to raise questions about the burden of proof that might otherwise go unasked. 

2:28 p.m. ET, April 19, 2024

Here's why gag order violations might not affect Trump that much

From CNN's Eva Rothenberg

Although Donald Trump has been accused by the Manhattan district attorney's office of violating his gag order at least 10 times, the consequences for the former president might be minimal, CNN legal analyst Elie Honig told Kate Bolduan on Friday morning.

In a hearing Tuesday, Judge Juan Merchan will have to decide between fining Trump up to $1,000 per violation and imprisoning him for up to 30 days.

"(Trump) is not going to care at all about that, he'd gladly pay a thousand dollars per Truth Social to lash out at Michael Cohen and other witnesses," Honig said. "But I think Donald Trump has done the calculation — probably correctly — that there's just no way this judge is going to lock (him) up for violating the gag order, and certainly not at this point."

Honig noted that it's a problem for trial management and courtroom order and could eventually become an issue for Trump as well.

Earlier today, Trump said outside the courtroom that the gag order "has to come off," telling reporters that he "should be allowed to speak."

Remember: A gag order was issued by Merchan in late March to stop Trump from making statements about witnesses, jurors, prosecutors, court staff or the family members of prosecutors and court staff.

3:33 p.m. ET, April 19, 2024

Man lit himself on fire outside the courthouse where Trump's trial is underway

From CNN's Mark Morales and Brynn Gingras

Emergency personnel respond to a report of a person covered in flames outside the courthouse where former US President Donald Trump's criminal hush money trial is underway, in New York, on April 19.
Emergency personnel respond to a report of a person covered in flames outside the courthouse where former US President Donald Trump's criminal hush money trial is underway, in New York, on April 19. Brendan McDermid/Reuters

A man lit himself on fire outside the courthouse where the Trump trial is underway, New York City Police Department officials said.

NYPD Chief of Department Jeffrey B. Maddrey said the man walked into the center of Collect Pond Park, which is directly across from the courthouse. He opened his backpack and took out pamphlets that he scattered in the park before setting himself on fire.

A CNN team on the ground observed one of the flyers. It said "NYU is a mob front" and had various allegations of wrongdoings against the school.

NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said police have not determined if the incident was related to Trump’s trial. He said the man did post about the incident on social media and that his internet presence will be part of the ongoing investigation.

At least one person used a fire extinguisher to try to put out the blaze, and an EMT rushed up to the man and tried to render aid, according to CNN's Laura Coates, who narrated the scene unfolding in front of her outside the courthouse.

This post has been updated with details from New York City Police Department officials.

2:16 p.m. ET, April 19, 2024

All jurors have been seated for Trump's trial: Here's a recap of the end of jury selection

From CNN's Elise Hammond

The five remaining alternate jurors were sworn in Friday, meaning the full jury panel has now been seated in the hush money trial against Donald Trump.

There are 12 jurors and six alternates who will hear the case against the former president.

Opening statements are expected to start Monday.

Here’s a recap:

  • A group of 22 potential jurors from the most recent panel returned to the courtroom to answer their questionnaires. From there, lawyers from the prosecution and defense each got 25 minutes to ask the potential jurors questions.
  • Prosecutor Susan Hoffinger started her questioning by telling the potential jurors that this case is “only about whether the evidence” proves Trump is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. She also asked the potential jurors whether they could keep an open mind if former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen testifies.
  • Trump attorney Susan Necheles focused her line of questions on biases toward Trump. "You all bring biases, and you particularly bring biases about someone who is as publicly and outspoken as President Trump,” she said.
  • Jurors dismissed: Six potential jurors were excused throughout the questionnaire and questions from the lawyers. The judge then dismissed three people for cause. Lawyers used their preemptory strikes to dismiss another two potential jurors.
  • Trump in court: The former president watched the alternates' answers very closely as they shared their opinions of him, turning toward the jury box as they responded. 
  • Incident outside court: A man lit himself on fire outside of the courthouse where the trial is underway, two law enforcement sources confirmed to CNN. Further details were not immediately available.

The judge said there will be a Sandoval hearing after the lunch break around 3:15 p.m. ET. That routine hearing will address Trump’s criminal history and assess how much prosecutors can ask if a defendant testifies.

1:43 p.m. ET, April 19, 2024

Secret Service agent speaking to Trump in the gallery

Former President Donald Trump is standing in the gallery. A Secret Service agent is speaking to him.

He glanced over at the press pool as he walked out.

2:05 p.m. ET, April 19, 2024

Court adjourned for lunch

The court is adjourned for lunch.

The judge is expected to hold a Sandoval hearing at 3:15 p.m. ET. This is a common preliminary proceeding that will be used to review Donald Trump’s criminal history and assess how much prosecutors can ask if he testifies.

1:42 p.m. ET, April 19, 2024

Judge tells jurors he expects trial to begin Monday

Judge Juan Merchan tells the jurors, "I expect we're going to begin the trial on Monday."

Merchan is giving the jurors instructions not to discuss the case with others or research it.

"There are 18 jurors in total," and we cannot start until all are present each day, Merchan says.

1:39 p.m. ET, April 19, 2024

Alternate jurors sworn in

Jurors are being called up to be sworn in now.

The last five alternates sworn in include four women and one man.

1:33 p.m. ET, April 19, 2024

The full jury panel has been selected

A sixth alternate juror has been selected. That means the full panel — 12 jurors and six alternates — has now been seated.

"We have our full panel," the judge said.