2/ Via Buchman:

Chutkan notes she has consulted competing cases on Trump's docket to arrive at this date. And she notes that even with March 4 start date, that would still mean this trial will start 3 years+ after Jan. 6.

Lauro says they will abide by Chutkan's order because they must but he says this date will still deny Trump effective counsel.

3/ Chutkan notes Lauro's objection on the rec. A pre-trial schedule will be made, Chutkan will issue a minute order with pre-trial schedule.

Gaston, before things wrap up, notes to Chutkan that she believes defense will poll prospective jurors in DC. She wants a motion hearing

4/ Via Scott MacFarlane

👉🏼👉🏼Judge: "I'm watching carefully for anything that might poison that jury pool" ..... she says about public statements in case

Judge says she too is concerned that defense polling/probing of possible jury pool could taint the jurors in case

5/ More tidbits:

Klasfeld:

People closely following Trump's criminal cases know that the hush-money case was also slated for March 2024.

Chutkan said that she checked in with the trial judge in that case for conflicts before proceeding.

Scott MacFarlane;

Judge orders defense to notify the court ex-parte if they decide to poll Washington DC citizens ahead of trial

6/ Via Buchman:

Chutkan:...gauging views thru veneer of jury pool, you may actually affect their ability to render fair verdict bc ques can be asked all sorts of ways. U intending to do this polling?
Lauro hesitates: we were going to do that as we got closer to trial...

If/when defense decides to undertake this, there will be a hearing first. Again Chutkan reminds Lauro: they're not treating Trump any diff, but concerns that pressing here & unique given his pub commentary on prospective jury

7/ Okay folks, that’s it for now. Can I shower now? it’s only 8:30 am here in CA and all this transcribing disrupted my morning routine! 😋

I have to go back and read my own thread. I was so busy copying/pasting that I didn’t get to absorb much.

I’ll read your replies later. 👋