Juror ‘misconduct’ battle brewing in Trump hush-money case

Donald Trump’s lawyers have alleged juror misconduct with his NY hush-money trial. 

One day after Donald Trump lost his 11th-hour bid to void his hush-money conviction, a juror “misconduct” battle is brewing, according to a newly-public series of court filings in the case.

The heavily-veiled dispute began with a December 3 letter, in which the president-elect’s lawyers told the trial judge, New York Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan, that “the jury in this case was not anywhere near fair and impartial.”

Nearly two-thirds of the 15 page letter is redacted, but in it, defense lawyer Todd Blanche — Trump’s pick for deputy attorney general — complained to Merchan about “extensive and pervasive misconduct” that “violated President Trump’s rights under the federal Constitution and New York law.”

Details of the alleged misconduct, and even whether it concerns a single juror or more than one, are redacted. The letter demands that the misconduct be considered as evidence in Trump’s yet-resolved request that Merchan void the case in the interest of justice.

The defense followed up their December 3 letter to the judge with two more dated December 5 and 9. Both asked that the December 3 letter be made public in redacted form, a request opposed by prosecutors with New York Attorney General Alvin Bragg.

Prosecutors responded December 9 by noting that Trump’s misconduct claim “consists entirely of unsworn allegations,” based on “hearsay and conjecture.”

As part of Monday’s 41-page denial of Trump’s most recent dismissal effort, Merchan responded by saying he would only consider Trump’s misconduct claims if they were formalized in a motion.

This story is developing, check back for more information.