Alternate jurors have not been dismissed and must stay in the court house

 

Justice Juan Merchan instructs the jury before deliberations as Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. President Donald Trump looks on during his criminal trial over charges that he falsified business records to conceal money paid to silence porn star Stormy Daniels in 2016, at Manhattan state court in New York City, U.S. May 29, 2024 in this courtroom sketch. REUTERS/Jane Rosenberg

Alternate jurors will remain in the building to step in for one of the 12 jurors if one of those jurors is unable to continue deliberating for any reason.

Judge Merchan pulled the six alternate jurors to the side and gave them their own set of instructions, noting that the will not be sitting in on deliberations but had to remain in the building and be ready to tag in if needed.

The jurors, who sat in on the case for weeks, were told to hand in their cellphones and electronic devices and were taken to an area of the court house to wait.

The 12 members of the active jury began deliberations a little before 11:30 A.M. Wednesday and are expected to work until about 4:30 P.M. on the first day of deliberations.