A second juror was excused from the jury in former President Trump’s criminal trial on Thursday after it was revealed the man was once arrested for tearing down right-leaning political advertisements.
Juror #4, who was selected and sworn in on Tuesday, was excused by Judge Juan Merchan on Thursday morning.
The man had been arrested in Westchester, N.Y., for tearing town political advertisements, according to a prosecutor from Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office.
“I actually believe the propaganda that was being ripped down was political posters that were on the right — the political right,” prosecutor Joshua Steinglass said Thursday.
A court sketch depicts the second day of former President Donald Trump’s criminal trial in Manhattan Criminal Court on Tuesday, April 16, 2024. Jury selection for the alleged hush money case remains ongoing. (Christine Cornell)
Steinglass said that after additional research, it also appeared that the juror’s wife had been previously accused of, or involved in a “corruption inquiry” that needed a “deferred prosecution agreement with the district attorney’s office.”
Jurors are asked on a questionnaire to list whether they or someone close to them have ever been arrested.
Juror #4 was excused shortly after juror #2 was excused. Juror #2 admitted that she could no longer be fair.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
