NEW YORK, April 18, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - Donald Trump was back in court 
Thursday for his unprecedented criminal trial, with six jurors already chosen 
and the New York judge aiming to schedule opening arguments at the start of 
next week.

Trump -- accused of falsifying business records on the eve of his 2016 
election victory while covering up an embarrassing alleged affair with a porn 
star -- motorcaded to the Manhattan courthouse from his luxury apartment 
building.

Wearing a blue tie, he took his seat, frowning as defense attorneys bustled 
around him, setting up for the day.

The criminal trial, expected to last six to eight weeks, is the first ever 
for a former US president and comes as Trump is taking on President Joe Biden 
in a bid to make a shock return to the White House in November.

The Republican faces three other criminal cases, including on far more 
serious charges of attempting to overturn his 2020 election loss to Biden, 
but these have been repeatedly delayed.

Trump, who pleaded not guilty in New York, has been ordered by Judge Juan 
Merchan to attend every day, forcing the scandal-tainted real estate tycoon 
and hard-right populist to exchange the campaign trail for the unglamorous 
confines of a rundown courthouse.

For now, all the action centers on picking 12 jurors and six reserves to sit 
in judgment on one of the most famous and controversial men in the country 
less than seven months from election day. A unanimous verdict will be 
required to convict Trump.

Seven had been successfully picked by Tuesday -- following vetting by defense 
and prosecution lawyers -- but on Thursday one asked to be excused, saying 
that on reflection she could not be impartial.

Merchan said he thinks opening arguments could begin as early as Monday.

- Warned by judge -

The reality that Trump is no longer in control of his image -- or fate -- 
while in court is something that the former president, a born showman who has 
constantly flouted the norms and rules of political life, has rarely 
experienced.

The judge has made it clear he will tolerate none of Trump's habitual 
grandstanding, sternly warning him earlier this week when he began to mutter 
and gesture towards prospective jurors.

"I will not have any jurors intimidated in this courtroom," Merchan said.

Merchan has also warned Trump against intimidating people connected to the 
case on social media.

The judge scheduled a hearing next week to consider whether Trump should 
already be held in contempt for violating a partial gag order.

And jurors will remain anonymous to protect them from possible bribery or 
attack, though the selection process has already revealed much information 
about them, raising fears that they could be identified. 

- Jury difficulties -

On Monday, more than half of the first batch of 96 candidates were excused 
after signaling they could not be impartial.

Then on Tuesday, prospective jurors were grilled on their media consumption, 
political donations and education.

Trump appeared to eye those in the jury box as they each answered "yes" to a 
prosecutor's question about whether they would be able to return a guilty 
verdict.

Candidates were then asked about their social media posts -- with several 
posts critical of Trump read out to the court. One juror was excused for 
previously calling for Trump to be "locked up."

If convicted, Trump would potentially face prison, but legal observers say 
fines would be more likely.