Posted on 08/08/2018 9:58:07 AM PDT by sickoflibs
LEXANDRIA, Va. – After jurors were dismissed Monday in the Paul Manafort trial Monday, the federal judge overseeing the case and prosecutors trying the former Trump campaign chairman got into an extended verbal debate -- lasting about 10 minutes -- over the merits of the prosecution, the length of the case and even the eye contact of prosecutor Greg Andres.
U.S. District Judge T.S. Ellis III specifically pushed Andres on why the prosecution was moving slowly with Rick Gates – the former Manafort business partner who testified on Monday – and specifically to describe the link between wealthy Ukrainian politicos and Manafort. Ellis argued that the connection was not the basis of the case.
“What matters are the allegations that he made money from them and didn’t report it,” Ellis said. “You don't need to throw mud at these people.”
That makes it even clearer to me that it doesn’t have anything to do with the allegations in this case,” Ellis responded. “It throws dirt on these people. They may deserve it. I don’t know - and I don’t care.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
It can, but back to my point: if the judge dismisses sua sponte, the prosecution has a built-in appellate issue. Tactically, the defense would be better off waiting and moving for a directed verdict.
It can, but back to my point: if the judge dismisses sua sponte, the prosecution has a built-in appellate issue. Tactically, the defense would be better off waiting and moving for a directed verdict.
Alas, it’s exactly the same in state courts. Everything gets pled down to a misdemeanor. So, we have all kinds of monsters roaming the streets.
Gawd forbid anyone on the government payroll would be required to do their actual *jobs* and put on a trial.
A jury is always a big crap shoot. If it’s not going to be possible to put on a strong defense, or your client is guilty, roll the dice.
In a case like Manafort’s, they would be much better off with a bench trial. Especially since they did so welll with the Judge Lottery
He's a Reagan appointee.
A Bush appointee would be on Mueller's side 100%
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