Mr Trump’s team have repeatedly asked to be given the names of the first three witnesses to be called. They will be aware of those who will take to the stand over the course of the trial, however.
Hope Hicks, the former White House communications director, Michael Cohen, Mr Trump’s former lawyer, and David Pecker – a publishing executive who allegedly worked to “catch and kill” negative stories about the Republican – are widely expected to give evidence.
Justice Merchan ruled on Monday that Karen McDougal, a Playboy model with whom Mr Trump allegedly had an affair before enlisting Mr Pecker to cover it up, will also be allowed to testify.
While Mr Trump appeared to fall asleep in court on Friday, as he has done repeatedly throughout the week, there were other points where he seemed engaged by the jury selection.
His interest was piqued by the answers of a fellow “born-and-bred New Yorker”, and he watched closely as a prospective alternate burst into tears and admitted being a “hustler drug addict” who had spent time in prison.
The former president pursed his lips when social media posts by a potential juror describing him as a “sociopath” and “devil” were read out, the New York Times reports.
After the full jury panel had been selected, prosecutors argued that they should be able to ask Mr Trump about his previous legal cases, including civil rulings that he artificially inflated his company’s assets and sexually abused a magazine columnist.
Justice Merchan said he would make a decision on the issue when court resumes next week.
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