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U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) arrives in federal courtroom for his bribery trial in reference to an alleged corrupt relationship with three New Jersey businessmen, in New York Metropolis, U.S., Might 14, 2024.
Brendan Mcdermid | Reuters
Prosecutors and protection attorneys chosen a full jury Wednesday within the federal bribery trial of New Jersey Sen. Robert Menendez.
The 18-member jury – 12 jurors and 6 alternates – was empaneled behind closed doorways on the third day of the Democratic lawmaker’s trial in US District Court docket in Manhattan.
Federal prosecutors will make opening statements first, adopted by attorneys for Menendez and two New Jersey businessmen additionally charged within the sweeping corruption case.
Two arduous days within the courtroom had handed with out a single juror current for the trial.
Menendez, 70, and his spouse Nadine Menendez are accused within the case of taking a whole lot of hundreds of {dollars} in bribes — together with luggage of money, gold bars and a Mercedes-Benz convertible — in trade for the senator’s official actions.
Menendez, who till the indictment chaired the Senate International Relations Committee, and his spouse are accused of utilizing his political energy to counterpoint three businessmen and profit the governments of Egypt and Qatar.
Resulting from medical issues she not too long ago skilled, Nadine Menendez will later be tried individually from her husband and the 2 different defendants on this trial, Wael Hanna and Fred Daibes.
A 3rd New Jersey businessman charged within the case, Jose Uribe, pleaded responsible in March and agreed to cooperate with federal prosecutors.
Nadine Menendez has not been in courtroom along with her husband. Throughout the first two days of jury choice, he sat alone for lengthy, silent durations whereas his legal professionals met with potential jurors in a facet room.
Senator Bob Menendez’s (D-NJ) spouse, Nadine Menendez, leaves Manhattan federal courtroom on October 2, 2023 in New York Metropolis.
David Dee Delgado | Getty Photographs
Court docket information present Menendez’s attorneys might attempt to persuade the 12-member jury that he’s harmless arguing that his spouse is in charge for withholding info and making the senator consider their actions have been lawful.
The primary two days of the trial have been largely taken up by a prolonged strategy of individually questioning anybody who stated they might not function a juror.
Dozens of individuals within the courtroom had raised their jury playing cards to doubtlessly disqualify themselves from the trial, which might final seven weeks or extra.
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By Tuesday night, Stein had reduce the variety of potential jurors in half to 75.
Decide Sidney Stein then started questioning particular person jurors in open courtroom about their occupations, households, residing preparations, media habits, hobbies and pursuits.
Fred Daibes arrives at Federal Court docket for his bribery trial towards U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), in New York Metropolis, U.S., Might 14, 2024.
Brendan Mcdermid | Reuters
Potential jurors recognized themselves solely by their assigned quantity, however often gave very private solutions.
One in all them, a self-described podcast junkie, stated she has referred to as into New York public radio veteran Brian Lehrer’s discuss present “one million occasions.”
“He is aware of my voice,” the lady added.
One other potential juror instructed the choose that he lives alone and that his spouse and son not too long ago died.
Wael Hana, co-defendant of U.S. Senator Robert Menendez, arrives at federal courtroom in New York, U.S., on Monday, Might 13, 2024.
Victor J. Blue | Bloomberg | Getty Photographs
A person who works as a lawyer for a financial institution instructed Stein that he had beforehand contributed to Menendez’s political marketing campaign.
The donation was made after a request from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, in accordance with the person, who stated he had made “dozens” of comparable contributions over time.
AIPAC Menendez endorsed in January, two months earlier than the senator introduced he wouldn’t achieve this enter the Democratic major in a re-election bid however left the door open to behave as an unbiased.
That is information improvement. Examine again later for updates.
Jury chosen in corruption case
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