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One of the jurors in the hush money criminal trial against former President Donald Trump was dismissed after parts of her identity were posted online.
Judge Juan Merchan said that Juror 2 was excused from duty after voicing concerns that she could no longer be fair and impartial. She said that friends, family, and coworkers messaged her about being on the jury after the media reported information about her, including her job and physical description.
"We just lost what probably would've been a very good juror," Merchan said.
Merchan said the juror told him she was "afraid" and intimidated by the press and asked them to limit what information they publish about the jurors.
"There's a reason this is an anonymous jury," Merchan said.
He also said that going forward, questions about a juror's job and employer would be redacted from the court record. He also told the press to stop publishing physical descriptions of the jury members.
"I'm directing that the press simply apply common sense and refrain from writing about anything that has to do with physical descriptions; it's just not necessary; it serves no purpose," Merchan said.
Later in the day, another seated juror was dismissed after prosecutors questioned him about a prior arrest.
As of Thursday (April 18) afternoon, five jurors had been empaneled. An additional seven jurors and up to six alternates still need to be chosen.