Judge in Trump civil trial warns jurors to stay anonymous

KARAH RUCKER: E. JEAN CARROLL’S BATTERY AND DEFAMATION CIVIL TRIAL AGAINST FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP IS CURRENTLY UNDERWAY – WITH THE JUDGE ON THE CASE SUGGESTING JURORS REFRAIN FROM USING THEIR REAL NAMES WITH EACH OTHER.

JURORS WILL BE ANONYMOUS IN THE CASE – NOT ONLY TO THE PUBLIC BUT TO LAWYERS ON BOTH SIDES. THEY WILL ALSO BE TRANSPORTED TO AND FROM COURT – ESCORTED BY THE U.S. MARSHALS SERVICE – SECRETLY LEADING THEM IN AND OUT OF THE BUILDING.

THESE ARE ALL MEASURES IN PLACE FOR THE JURORS’ SAFETY. MEASURES THAT MIGHT BE TYPICAL FOR CRIMINAL CASES BUT ARE VIRTUALLY UNHEARD OF WITH CIVIL MATTERS. THE JURY CONSISTS OF SIX MEN AND THREE WOMEN.

JUDGE LEWIS KAPLAN PRESIDING OVER THE CASE HAS ALSO WARNED TRUMP’S SIDE TO REFRAIN FROM POSTING ABOUT THE TRIAL ON SOCIAL MEDIA – WORRIED ABOUT TRUMP INCITING VIOLENCE.

THE FORMER PRESIDENT HAS LONG DENIED THE ALLEGATIONS AND TODAY REFERRED TO THE TRIAL AS A SCAM ON TRUTH SOCIAL.