Two potential alternate jurors excused after admitting inability to be partial

 

Former President Donald Trump appears at Manhattan criminal court in New York, Friday, April 19, 2024. (Spencer Platt/Pool Photo via AP)

Two potential alternate jurors were excused Friday morning after they admitted they'd have trouble remaining impartial during former President Trump's trial for alleged hush money payments to Stormy Daniels.

One woman told the judge and attorneys present she has severe anxiety and may not be able to be fair and impartial. She said the longer the trial continues and the more people who know she is a juror could exacerbate her anxiety. A second woman said that after  introspection, she "can't be impartial." 

"I want to be … but after listening to the questions posed to prospective jurors, and asking those questions to myself, I don't think I can be impartial," she said. 

Two other women were questioned as the court seeks to fill positions for five alternate jurors.

Twenty-two possible jurors are being brought in to court as jury selection continues. As many as five alternate jurors must be selected before jury selection is over. One alternate was already sworn in at the end of the day Thursday.