In just three short days in a Manhattan courtroom, Donald Trump has already exhibited enough antics before prospective jurors that should have his legal team worrying that they have to do damage control with the seated jury in what is expected to be a six-week long trial.
That is the opinion of MSNBC legal analyst Danny Cevallos, who claimed Trump's inattention and dozing off on the first day of jury selection is the least of the president's team's worries as he has become agitated and demonstrative in the following days.
Admitting that juries are supposed to follow the evidence to arrive at a verdict, Cevallos stated it is human nature for jurors to keep an eye on the defendant's actions and demeanor during hearings.
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And that is where Trump's ability to remain stoic when provoked puts him at a disadvantage.
"From the moment they walk into the courtroom for jury duty, citizens are watching the defendant," argued Cevallos. "They watch when defendants scribble on notepads. They watch when defendants confer with their lawyers. They watch just to see if the defendant 'looks' guilty — whatever that means."
He then added that Trump's personality could make this dynamic even more extreme.
"When the defendant is Donald Trump, all eyes are on the former president, at all times," he wrote before adding, "And that’s where Trump has to be very careful — if he can. If he misbehaves at the defense table, the jury will be able to see it happen."
Reflecting on Trump already being admonished by Judge Juan Merchan for grumbling at a juror, Cevallos pointed out, "If Trump appears bored, angry or impatient, jurors notice. When he mumbles under his breath, they notice. None of these things are good, either."
Now as the trial commences as the jury is seated, the legal analyst stated it will be up to Trump's legal team to make sure the former president doesn't make their job harder.
"All the client has to do is sit there and look 'not guilty.' It’s easier said than done, though. The ideal criminal defendant would sit ramrod straight, take notes from time to time and maintain an expression of respectful curiosity," he continued before warning, "Most criminal defendants are not ideal defendants. And when defendants misbehave, juries punish."
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