Day 2 INNER CITY PRESS THREAD: Trump’s ‘Hush Money’ ‘Serial Liar’ and ‘Porn Star’ Trial Brought to You by George Soros Himself!!!

Trump currently sitting alone at defense table, empty seats of Todd Blanche and Emil Bove on either side of him. Susan Necheles one seat away, writing on legal pad 

Now Blanche in lead defense counsel’s chair, speaking animated with Trump, both raising a hand to gesticulate. Justice Merchan’s chair still empty as of 9:40 am. 

All rise!
Clerk: This is the People of the State of New York versus Donald Trump
Justice Merchan: We’ve been waiting on some jurors. There are three jurors we are still waiting on. Two of them were in the box. Seat 2 and Seat 8 we’re waiting on. Seat 10 feels sick 

Justice Merchan: She says it’s not COVID but she’s outside, in a mask. Any objection to excusing her? None. She is excused. Now on Seats 2 and 8, should we refill the seats?
Trump’s lawyer Blanche: They should be excused.
Justice Merchan: Let’s wait a minute or 2 

Justice Merchan: Let’s bring them in. I’m told two out of the three are here. Let’s find out if it is Seats 2 and 8, or one of the prospective jurors sitting in the audience… Oh, apparently we don’t have the two jurors. They are lining up and will be brought in 

Trump’s lawyer Blanche: So we are moving on without them?
Justice Merchan: Yes. If they come in late I don’t intend to excuse them. I’ll have them in the audience and use them if needed… Jurors, welcome back. Sorry for delay. I’d like to remind you to be on time 

Clerk: We are re-filling the two seats.
Justice Merchan: We’ll start with Seat 8
Seat 8: NoMad, I’ve lived there four years. I’m from Dallas; I’m an accountant. I was with an oil and gas company. Not married, no children, live alone. I play golf. NYT, TikTok, Fox 

Justice Merchan: Now Seat 8 has arrived. So we’ll move you to Seat 10, and the juror in Seat 10, I’m sorry, back to the audience.
Seat 8-now-10: I am B354.
Justice Merchan: Juror 285 remains Seat 8.
Seat 10: Sports podcasts if I’m bored. 

Seat 10: I have a fraternity brother who is an elected official, a Republican. There may be some unconscious bias – growing up in Texas, and having my friends be from Texas, I have some unconscious bias. Growing up Republican
Justice Merchan: Please approach 

[Note: Trump is *not* up at the sidebar, rather sits alone at defense table]
Justice Merchan: We appreciate your candor. We will have to excuse you at this time. Please fill Seat 10.
Clerk: Refilling Seat 10 with B158
New Seat 10: I live on RIverside Drive uptown 

New Seat 10: I review Social Security cases. 34? No. 42? No.
Justice Merchant: Thank you.
Seat 11: I don’t think I can be impartial.
Judge Merchant: We’re going to excuse you. Let’s refill Seat 11, please.
Clerk: Re-filling seat 11, B311…