Selection of Judge in Trump Case Could Complicate Proceedings

New York Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan was assigned to preside over the hush-money prosecution of former President Donald Trump because he had experience overseeing previous litigation involving the former president and his company, according to people familiar with the process, but that history could complicate the proceedings and expose him to more of Mr. Trump’s attacks.

Justice Merchan’s journey to the precedent-setting case began with an assignment to referee a subpoena dispute between the Manhattan district attorney’s office and the Trump Organization in late 2020, the people familiar with the matter said.