Deron Williams
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1:09 p.m. ET, April 15, 2024
Catch up on what has happened in court so far — and what is coming next
The historic criminal trial against former President Donald Trump is underway in New York. Ahead of jury selection, the judge said what evidence will be allowed — and what will not — during the trial.
Trump, who is in the courtroom, is on trial in Manhattan for his alleged role in a hush money scheme to silence his alleged mistresses before the 2016 election. No former US president has ever faced criminal prosecution. Trump has pleaded not guilty and has denied the affairs.
Here’s what has happened in court so far:
Evidence that will be allowed:
- Judge Juan Merchan said he will allow a series of National Enquirer stories attacking Trump’s opponents into evidence.
- Testimony from Karen McDougal will also be allowed, but Merchan said it is not necessary for the jury to hear that Trump continued his affair with McDougal while his wife, Melania Trump, was pregnant and after she gave birth. McDougal is a model and actress who has said she had a monthslong affair with Trump in 2006 and was paid $150,000 to keep quiet about it by the National Enquirer. Trump has denied the affair.
- Merchan will allow testimony of former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen’s guilty plea to campaign finance violations with the proper foundation. He said prosecutors cannot tie that guilty plea to Trump.
What will not be allowed:
- Merchan said he still believes the “Access Hollywood” video in which Trump brags about groping women should not be shown to jurors because it’s so prejudicial.
- The judge also denied prosecutors’ request to bring into evidence the allegations of sexual assault against Trump that came out after the “Access Hollywood” tape. He said he will not allow Trump to be prejudiced by a “rumor.”
- Merchan additionally said he doesn’t think the deposition of E. Jean Carroll, who accused Trump of sexual assault, should be brought in because it would be “building in a trial into a trial.”
What comes next: Jury selection is expected to begin soon and will continue until a panel of 12 New Yorkers and six alternates are seated. Prospective jurors will be vetted through a questionnaire that could signal political views. They will be asked a wide range of questions, including where in the city they live, where they get their news, whether they’ve ever attended a rally for the former president and whether they have had any affiliation with groups such as the Proud Boys or the QAnon movement. Read more about the process here.
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