Lurking 'stealth juror' could make or break Trump's hush money case for Bragg: expert
Former President Donald Trump's criminal hush money jury likely includes a person who arrived in "stealth" and has the potential to make or break the case against him, a legal expert said Thursday.
Trial Behavior Consulting analyst Steve Duffy spoke with the Independent about the problematic "stealth juror" who appears impartial but harbors hidden biases.
"No doubt possible stealth jurors exist on ‘both sides’," Duffy told The Independent. “[They] really want to be on the jury [but] have a very strong opinion, either for or against him, and are deliberately not saying anything to try to get on."
Trump faces 34 counts of falsifying business records linked to what Manhattan District Alvin Bragg contends was an orchestrated attempt to funnel hush money funds through fixer Michael Cohen to adult film star Stormy Daniels.
Trump has pleaded not guilty in the trial that has also been described as an election interference case as the silence he allegedly bought predated his 2016 presidential election.
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Now a slate of New Yorkers face the prospect of judging a former president as a fellow peer, and according to Duffy, they'll also face strict scrutiny from lawyers on both sides of the aisle.
“The way you figure out who those people are is with background research, which … both sides are undoubtedly doing," he said.
Duffy notes whatever their persuasion, all stealth jurors “fully have an opinion … but [are] trying to get on the jury."
The stealth juror is also more inclined to not be “volunteering information, or honestly answering" for that same purpose to seek out or prevent a conviction.
Despite vetting process to prevent stealth jurors from getting impaneled, there likely has already been at least one that managed to convince the court they could give a fair shake.
“One of the jurors who was dismissed today – the prosecution was insinuating [that he] could be that kind of juror.”
Both sides are likely looking to oust stealth jurors, but Duffy notes one who slips through the cracks could work in the former president's favor.
“In Trump’s world, if he gets one of those people on the jury who just no matter what, will not vote to convict, then that’s great," Duffy explained. "Because you won’t get convicted. So rooting out anyone like that is imperative for the prosecution."