Plan B » The Manafort Trial...

Spunky · 8/08/2018 8:25 pm

Once the defense gets their turn...If Manafort chooses to testify, he will risk being questioned by prosecutors fixated on his jugular. But if he chooses not to testify, he will risk giving Gates the last word.

Doing so would undermine his defense considerably. Although the jury would be specifically instructed not to infer the defendant is guilty if he chooses not to testify, the jury is comprised of human beings who are often incapable of disregarding damning evidence when the defendant has offered no rebuttal.

Manafort's defense team should not hang its hat on the likeability of Rick Gates. In a trial that has led to Manafort being berated over his plove for ostrich-skinned clothing, he should remember the well-known adage resonating in the jury room: Birds of a feather flock together.

Spunky · 8/09/2018 1:15 pm

Judge Ellis told the jury he was wrong in criticizing prosecutors yesterday for having one of their witnesses, an expert IRS agent, in the room to hear other witness testimony.

Prosecutors had reminded him following his scolding in front of the jury they had discussed allowing IRS revenue agent Michael Welch to sit in the courtroom."Put aside any criticism.

I was probably wrong in that," Ellis said to kick off the trial proceedings Thursday morning. "This robe doesn't make me anything other than human."

This judge is a total idiot...makes one wonder whose side he's on....oh wait....he's not supposed to be on anyone's side....he's just supposed to apply the law...

Last edited by Spunky (8/09/2018 1:16 pm)

Spunky · 8/10/2018 2:45 pm

There was a long delay this morning...with no explanation given as to why..

The mystery of the morning has not been solved, and the court is now on break until 1:45 p.m. ET.Lawyers from both sides huddled with Judge T.S. Ellis twice this morning.

After almost an hour of waiting, lawyers from both sides Ellis returned to the courtroom at 11:07 a.m.Ellis brought the 16 jurors in, stressed to them the importance of not discussing the case and told them to "keep an open mind." He also said the court plans to "continue with evidence" presentations in the afternoon today and that he would "expect to make progress.

"What this means for timing: It now seems quite unlikely that the prosecutors will finish presenting their case Friday, as they had previously said they would.

Last edited by Spunky (8/10/2018 2:46 pm)

Spunky · 8/11/2018 9:00 am

Due to the long delay on Friday...the prosecutors will continue their interrogations on Monday...

Spunky · 8/13/2018 5:06 pm

Alexandria, Virginia (CNN)

Prosecutors rested their case Monday afternoon in the trial against former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort.Prosecutor Greg Andres announced that the prosecution had finished witness presentation against Manafort after 10 days of testimony from 27 witnesses. The defense has not indicated if it will call any witnesses to the stand.

Spunky · 8/14/2018 3:53 pm

Closing arguments tomorrow...the defense did not call any witnesses.

Spunky · 8/15/2018 10:18 am

Closing arguments today...then it goes to the jury...so we'll see what happens later..

Spunky · 8/15/2018 3:53 pm

Ok...both sides have wrapped up

Now its in the Jurys' hand....

Does anyone know if Manafort could still take a plea deal...or is it too late.....

I wonder if he's thinking 'pardon'....

Spunky · 8/16/2018 12:53 pm

The jurors are deliberating...some are speculating that it could be a few days before we hear any news....as to whether a decision has been reached...

Spunky · 8/16/2018 4:36 pm

The Jurors finished deliberating for the day, and will be back tomorrow to continue.

Earlier today they sent a note to the Judge and asked four questions....

Spunky · 8/17/2018 9:15 am

The Jury is back to deliberate for day 2....

If anyone hears any news on this, please post it

Thanks!

Spunky · 8/17/2018 3:33 pm

When the Jury sent a note to the Judge today...everyone assumed it was because they had reached a verdict.....

And all they were asking for was to be allowed to leave at 5:00 instead of the usual 5:30... lol

So they will be back on Monday, to deliberate some more...

Last edited by Spunky (8/17/2018 3:33 pm)

teluog · 8/17/2018 6:32 pm

Wow, could they actually let this guy go! You just know there's got to be a trump supporter on that jury, they can't be objective.

Spunky · 8/20/2018 11:43 am

The jurors are back!!

So they're calling it the "Verdict Watch"

Spunky · 8/20/2018 1:52 pm

Its making me nervous because they're saying that when a Jury takes too long with their deliberations that it usually means ...they are favoring the Defense.

Has anyone heard anything.....Cossysmom, zeke....NE...anyone?

Spunky · 8/20/2018 5:24 pm

They asked to stay an additional 45 minutes today.....and now they have finished for the day....

No verdict yet....

Experts are saying that they have an enormous amount of evidence to go through on their own....because the Judge had not allowed the prosecutors to bring it out during the trial....

They will be back tomorrow morning at 9 AM

Spunky · 8/21/2018 10:15 am

The Jurors are back today to deliberate some more....

Spunky · 8/21/2018 11:45 am

Day 4 of deliberations!

Alexandria, Virginia (CNN)The judge in the trial of former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort urged the jury Tuesday to keep deliberating after it asked what happens if it can't reach consensus on one of 18 counts.

"If we cannot come to a consensus for a single count, how can we fill in the verdict sheet?" the jury wrote in a note to Ellis.

Give "deference" to each other and "listen to each others' arguments." added the judge

Last edited by Spunky (8/21/2018 2:49 pm)

Spunky · 8/21/2018 2:51 pm

I'm hoping they reach a verdict today.....ugh!

Spunky · 8/21/2018 4:05 pm

Manafort found guilty on 8 counts! Five tax fraud charges, one charge of hiding foreign bank accounts, and two counts of bank fraud.

mistrial was declared in the other 10.

The court has ended for the day.

A sentencing date in the criminal trial of Manafort has yet to be set.

Prosecutors have until Aug. 29 to say what they plan to do about the 10 counts declared a mistrial.

Last edited by Spunky (8/21/2018 4:06 pm)