Representatives from the prosecution and defense, as well as Judge Juan Mercha, interviewed several candidates for the jury before agreeing on seven jurors on Tuesday, after no candidates were selected on the first day. The search for five others may continue for several days.

Trump, who runs a massive real estate business, has been charged with 34 counts of falsifying business records as part of a scheme by his former lawyer Michael Cohen to hide a $130,000 payment made to porn star Stormy Daniels.

Daniels said she was paid to remain silent about her affair with Trump in 2006. He has admitted paying her to stop her "false and extortionate allegations" on the eve of the 2016 presidential election, but has denied any sexual encounter.

Trump, who has pleaded not guilty to all charges, faces a maximum of four years in prison if convicted.

According to the court, the trial could last up to eight weeks after I select the jury.

Trump's lawyers had tried until the eleventh hour to postpone, postpone, or at least delay the trial. Even after being convicted in this case and sentenced to jail, Trump will be able to participate in the presidential election.

He faces three other criminal charges as well as several civil suits.

The Republican is set to seek re-election in November against incumbent President Joe Biden, a Democrat.

The hearing will continue on Thursday also.




khz/