The judge overseeing the upcoming hush money trial involving President Donald Trump in New York issued an order on Thursday, restricting the disclosure of juror names and other details.
Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan cited the potential for bribery, jury tampering, or physical harm to jurors in his decision. However, the order did not address Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's request for a narrow gag order on Trump.
Information such as the businesses and residential addresses of potential or sworn jurors has been restricted to the counsel of record for either party.
Merchan stated that there was good cause for a protective order, citing “the People demonstrate that Defendant has an extensive history of publicly and repeatedly attacking trial jurors and grand jurors,” according to the seven-page order. The judge clarified that neither party has requested nor has the court agreed to close the courtroom during jury selection “or at any other time during the proceedings.”
Jury selection for the trial is scheduled to commence on March 25 in New York City. Thursday's decision represents a minor triumph for Bragg, who last month requested the prohibition of disclosing juror names except to the involved parties in the case.
