Immunity is a double edge sword.
Once granted immunity they can not later fall back on the 5th amendment. So if put on the witness stand and asked questions they can not not refuse to answer nor will they be able to play the “I can not remember card”.
Do these people really want immunity?
That is a lovely thing.
And if the immunity deal is partial, then what? I’m thinking now of the Podestas.
Just why can’t they say “I don’t know?” I think this is precisely what’s going to happen. Why would they incriminate themselves? Why wouldn’t they just lie and accuse Manafort and Trump of everything under the sun? I don’t see the downside. Practically speaking they are bulletproof.
One other issue is that Mueller has to say what exactly they might have done illegal-wise, and offer immunity against that single episode.
If you get into the middle of this and some money appears to have changed hands in a major way (avoiding taxes), then someone else can come up and detain them for other crimes. You pretty much need to write out every single answer possible and memorize it and refuse to say something that might get you deeper into some mess.
You are exactly right. It could be that Mueller did not want his witnesses granted immunity so he could have an excuse to dismiss the charges.
Mueller is now going to have to turn over every document, notes, records of discussions with those granted immunity, potential criminal violations they committed, etc. This will also apply to conversations and documents between Mueller's team and the witnesses lawyers since there can be not privilege in that situation.
When granted immunity, any lie voids the grant of immunity. Mueller will also have to reveal what facts the testimony from his witnesses are going to prove; in advance.
While the witnesses may be granted immunity in this trial, that does not give them a real immunity from prosecution in future criminal prosecutions if their crimes can be proven with evidence unrelated to their testimony in this trial.
My guess is that Manafort's attorney is going to be able to get the witnesses to assert their 5th Amendment right against self incrimination, or admit to their own significant criminal conduct. Either way, Manafort will never be convicted, or have a conviction reversed on appeal.