A possible alternate juror was allowed to remain through the questionnaire process after revealing she had been convicted of a crime in another state.
Before the questionnaire process started, she told the judge she was convicted of a crime in another state and would be disqualified.
At one point, her voice cracked. Trump watched intently as she shared her story.
Judge Juan Merchan had her approach the bench so they could discuss it privately. He ultimately allowed her stay and she was not disqualified.
After the prospective jurors left the courtroom for the break, Merchan addressed the room, saying everyone inside “heard from a very brave woman who shared very personal things about her life. I know that wasn’t easy to do in a room full of strangers. I want to encourage the press, please be kind. Please be kind to this person.”
Remember: On Thursday, after a paneled juror expressed concerns in court about her ability to serve, the judge addressed the press in court, telling them “there’s a reason this is an anonymous jury” and to “refrain from writing about anything that has to do with physical descriptions.”
“We just lost what probably would’ve been a very good juror,” Merchan said. “The first thing she said was she was afraid and intimidating by the press.”