In a significant development in the ongoing legal proceedings against Daniel Penny, a Manhattan judge ruled today that the jurors weighing his fate will remain anonymous.

This decision comes in response to months of reported “threats” made to all parties involved in the case, underscoring the heightened tensions surrounding the trial.

The judge approved a request from prosecutors to conceal the identities of the 12 jurors selected to hear evidence in Penny’s trial, where he faces serious charges of manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide.

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This ruling aims to protect the jurors from potential harassment or intimidation, ensuring their safety and the integrity of the judicial process.

Jury selection commenced on Monday, with potential jurors undergoing pre-screening this week to determine their eligibility for the full trial. The trial is anticipated to last approximately six weeks, during which the jurors will deliberate on the evidence presented against Penny.

In a bid to facilitate this process, the judge is aiming to have 90 potential jurors in court starting Friday for specific questioning. This questioning is expected to continue into early next week, as the court seeks to finalize the jury panel.

If convicted of the manslaughter charge, Penny could face a sentence of up to 15 years in prison, making the stakes in this case particularly high. As the trial unfolds, the decision to keep juror identities confidential highlights the complexities and pressures surrounding high-profile legal cases in today’s polarized environment.