Manhattan: Former US President Donald Trump arrived at Manhattan criminal court with his legal team ahead of start of jury selection in New York.

Donald Trump became first former US President to stand trial in criminal case when he appeared in Manhattan court to face charges stemming from hush-money payment to an adult star that could complicate his bid to win back White House.

Trump (77) sat expressionless at defence table with his attorneys. Justice Juan Merchan, who is overseeing trial, entered about half an hour later.

Trump is required to attend trial, which is expected to last through May. Selection of 12 jurors and six alternates from pool of Manhattan residents is expected to take about week, followed by witness testimony.

Within minutes, Merchan denied Trump’s second bid to have judge recuse himself from case, on basis that his daughter’s work for political consulting firm with Democratic clients poses conflict of interest.

New York state prosecutors accuse former President of falsifying records to cover up $ 130,000 payment in waning days of 2016 presidential campaign to buy silence of adult film star Stormy Daniels about 2006 sexual encounter she has said they had.

Trump has denied any such relationship. He pleaded not guilty to 34 counts of falsification of business records in case brought by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, Democrat, in New York state court last year.

Though this case is regarded as least consequential of four criminal prosecutions he faces, some legal experts say it is only one guaranteed to go to trial before November 5 election.

Published in The Daily National Courier, April, 16 2024

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