It's official: after four days trying to fill the jury, Judge Juan Merchan, who will preside over the "hush money" case against former President Donald Trump in New York, announced that the historic trial will begin on Monday with opening arguments set to be heard.
Merchan's words come after the jury made up of 18 people (twelve primary jurors and six substitutes) was completed this Friday, in a day overshadowed by the tragic death of a man who set himself on fire outside the courthouse.
If no jurors withdraw or are dismissed from the panel in the next 48 hours, opening statements will begin as soon as Monday.
It will be the first time a jury sits down to hear a case against a former president and ultimately decide his fate in a criminal trial.
Former President Trump faces 34 counts of falsifying business records to conceal an alleged payment he made in 2016 to adult film star Stormy Daniels to keep her silent about an alleged affair. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg argued that the plot served to tip the balance in favor of the Republican in the presidential election that year, when Trump defeated Hillary Clinton.
The former president denied all charges and also denied that he had an affair with Daniels.
During the day on Friday, the former president's defense filed an unsuccessful request to delay, earning a reprimand from Judge Merchan.
Specifically, according to Fox News, the judge criticized Trump's attorneys for challenging his decisions during the first week of the trial and firmly stated that they will not achieve their goal of delaying the process.
"The defense is literally targeting every singe decision … There comes a point where you have to accept my rulings. The court’s decision is clear," Merchan said. "We’re going to have opening statements on Monday morning. This trial is starting."
