96 potential jurors in Trump hush money trial sworn in

Former President Donald Trump appears ahead of the start of jury selection at Manhattan Criminal Court on April 15, 2024 in New York City. (Getty Images)

96 potential jurors in former president Donald Trump's hush money trial have been sworn in for questioning as part of the jury selection process.

There are a total of 200 possible jurors present at the New York City courthouse. Judge Juan Merchan, just before 3 p.m. on Monday, greeted the prospective jurors and gave them a summary of the case, The People of the State of N.Y v. Donald J. Trump. 

The identities of the jurors will remain anonymous. Earlier in the day, Merchan said he was concerned about questioning individual jurors in the jury room with a large amount of people present, fearing it would be “overly intimidating.” 

He decided he will excuse other jurors from the room and question the individual juror at the podium.

The judge told the prospective jurors that his role is to help ensure a fair trial.  "You alone are the judgers of the facts…you alone will determine if the defendant is guilty," he said.

He added that the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, and that their decision must be guided on “a full and fair evaluation of the evidence.” 

Merchan also said “as judgers of the facts,” the jurors must decide of the witnesses are “truthful and accurate.”