Judge Ellis Loses Patience with Mueller Prosecutors and Ends Court Early Over Screw-Up

Law&Crime ^ | 3 Aug 2018 | Colin Kalmbacher

[Shethink13]

After review, Judge Ellis determined the scope of the direction to the SC allowed them to take the matters accusing Manafort to trial. The public has not been privy to the full “scope” of that letter held by Rod Rosenstein’s office.

And how convenient that no one else has been able view the "scope" of the SC investigation.

I figure at some point in time this infamous Rosenstein Scope thingy will be made public and we will see if Judge Ellis is on the up and up. I remain skeptical.

[SgtHooper]

IMO, the judge wants to create a solid record for the Appeals Court, should it be appealed. This makes it even more difficult on appeal to show how ludicrous the case was in the trial stage. It could happen that as the case progresses, and Mulehead continues to expose his charade of a case, that Ellis determines he has enough on the record to dismiss this case and yet survive being overturned on appeal.

[romanesq]

That Judge Ellis had to demand the government turn over the scope letter says much but he made sure they turned it over and couldn’t hide behind “classified.”

He’s been highly critical about the prosecution case from the start and made remarks most judges wouldn’t consider doing.

There is another trial awaiting Manafort in a different venue. The government is slimy as hell about all this.

[Shethink13]

As I remember the flow of events, the Judge observed that this was a political prosecution (My words) however Mueller still had the right to prosecute for tax evasion. Thus, the trial was allowed to proceed.

Yes - after he was able to view the "super-secret double probation Rosenstein Scope letter" that apparently we the plebes lack the bonafides to see.

[Sacajaweau]

That’s what I remembered but too lazy to verify.

[Shethink13]

IMO, the judge wants to create a solid record for the Appeals Court, should it be appealed. This makes it even more difficult on appeal to show how ludicrous the case was in the trial stage. It could happen that as the case progresses, and Mulehead continues to expose his charade of a case, that Ellis determines he has enough on the record to dismiss this case and yet survive being overturned on appeal.

Oh - I like that! I am truly not convinced one way or the other and your theory is definitely plausible. Call me gun-shy, I guess.

[Donnafrflorida]

The english caregiver who killed the kid. Jury said guilty. Judge sent her back to england. A big FU .

[Enterprise]

I don’t understand where you are coming from with that post.

[rhubarbk]

"Don't get too invested in Manafort being innocent of money laundering and tax evasion. He may very well be guilty of those things. "

How in the wide world of sports does this have anything to do with collusion, Russia, or any of the other BS that Mueller is determined to tie to Our President, Donald J Trump?

[Shethink13]

That Judge Ellis had to demand the government turn over the scope letter says much but he made sure they turned it over and couldn’t hide behind “classified.”

He’s been highly critical about the prosecution case from the start and made remarks most judges wouldn’t consider doing.

There is another trial awaiting Manafort in a different venue. The government is slimy as hell about all this.

Good points and is it possible that Judge Ellis knows what a scam this case is and wants to make sure HE is in control rather than them trying to take it to another court?

As I said, not convinced one way or the other just wary. I'm sure it's obvious I am not well-versed on legal issues, just going by my gut and common sense - maybe a mistake when dealing with the law these days.

[Shethink13]

I don’t understand where you are coming from with that post.

It's just my tin-foil hat personality coming out. That the judge is accepting that the scope of the SC does allow for the trial to go forward when in reality it's like the FISA applications.

I have since had replies from others who have eased my mind - just a little, that Judge Ellis could be legit.

[Enterprise]

Ok. I am thinking that this is a pretty good judge.

[Mase]

Manafort is toast!! Bank on it!!

If what I heard from Judge Pirro is correct, federal prosecutors have a 96% conviction rate. That's pretty incredible, and it tells us what an uphill battle Manafort has before him.

[romanesq]

Don’t know what was said in the Court about Manafort’s wealth. Not sure if the attempt to portray as rich is grounds for dismissal but regardless, he shut down this line of portrayal by the prosecution.

Here the judge has handled the matter of expert testimony perfectly. But these are singular matters in presentation to the jury. Let’s see what is presented by the prosecution.

[jagusafr]

“If he claims to be keen on Mueller’s game, why didn’t he just dismiss the case?”

Generally, a judge will not dismiss a case sua sponte but will rule on the defense’s motion to dismiss or for a directed verdict. Dismissing sua sponte just gives the prosecution an issue on appeal.

[Shethink13]

Generally, a judge will not dismiss a case sua sponte but will rule on the defense’s motion to dismiss or for a directed verdict. Dismissing sua sponte just gives the prosecution an issue on appeal.

Thank you. I am getting an well-needed education on these issues. What is "sua sponte"?

[Mears]

That was the Louise Woodward case——and it was handled properly.

.

[taxcontrol]

And asking a non-expert to render expert testimony / opinion is also a big no-no

[DoughtyOne]

Hopefully Ellis can hang on to this trial, and give Manafort the chance he won’t get elsewhere.

Then after the trial, he should file misconduct papers against the prosecution team.

He could also declare the prosecution attorney’s in contempt of court, and sentence them to six months in the local jail, and levy a handsome fine to boot.

[bert]

For the record..... a pettifogger is defined as a lawyer of inferior quality