Posted on 08/07/2018 6:47:28 AM PDT by yesthatjallen
The judge in Paul Manafort’s trial suggested to a prosecutor for special counsel Robert Mueller that he is “so frustrated” that there were tears in his eyes.
Bloomberg reported that U.S. District Judge T.S. Ellis III made the comment to prosecutor Greg Andres during a discussion out of earshot of the jury and members of the media.
“I understand how frustrated you are,” Ellis said. “In fact, there’s tears in your eyes right now.’’
Andres disputed Ellis’s statement, to which the judge replied, “Well, they’re watery.”
Tensions have broken out between the prosecutors and Ellis throughout the trial: The judge has asked members of both sides to refrain from making facial expressions during the course of the trial.
He has also criticized Mueller’s team for presenting too much evidence on Manafort’s spending, arguing that it’s not a crime.
Bloomberg reported that Ellis and Andres had other tense private conversations during the trial on Monday, during which former Manafort associate Rick Gates testified that he and Manafort committed crimes.
Andres claimed that Ellis was preventing him from asking essential questions for the trial. Ellis disputed that he was prioritizing speed over the prosecutor’s arguments.
The pair have had other confrontations during the trial, according to Bloomberg.
“Look at me when you’re talking to me,’’ Ellis said to Andres at one point.
“I’m sorry, judge, I was,’’ the prosecutor replied.
“No, you weren’t,’’ Ellis said. “You were looking down.’’
“Because I don’t want to get in trouble for some facial expression,’’ Andres said. “I don’t want to get yelled at again by the court for having some facial expression when I’m not doing anything wrong, but trying my case.’’
No there is plenty of evidence he hid income.
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There is no appeal from an acquittal, and if Manafort is convicted the appeals court will see the trial judge gave him a fair trial. The judge isn’t getting removed in the middle of the case.
I can hear Ellis....You've brought me several witness. All have said they either lied, stole or rigged the books. Do you have any honest witnesses?
watery eyes tells me that this is a highly pressured and conflicted man. Normally one could face confrontation more easily if they believe they can back down when wrong or they can casually respect authority without conflict. This tells me that this prosecutor is being pushed very hard and probably is very worried for himself if he fails.
Damn, we're gettin' good.
Starting off by detailing the defendant’s spending habits does not bode well for the prosecution’s case.
The main issue with Gates is trying to figure out when he is lying and when he might be truthful.
Prosecution not looking good so far, but it’s still early.
The instructions to the jury will be very interesting, and telling as to what the judge thinks of the case.
But again the outcome could be, as suggested earlier, “Manafort is guilty of a couple of things, but they aren’t very bad things and they will be fined.”
“Correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t the biggest implied accusation against Manafort that he’s “rich?”
I think it’s for not filing FBAR reports every year with the IRS. I myself didn’t file the bloody things on my wife’s behalf for 10 years or so. Didn’t even know about them. After I found out I spent a couple of days of catch up and filed them retroactively. Never heard a word from IRS.
I have so far like Ellis, but if he overplays his hand, wont do him any good.
Guess he expected the judge to just accept whatever they presented and find the defendant guilty because they said so.
Yes... that looks like an obvious innuendo attack. Oh look, a high roller. Besides probable hypocrisy, it doesn’t mean a single thing besides the guy is rich and likes to buy a lot of stuff. So he’s not a plaster saint. Hang him now. /Sarc of course
OK, but isn’t that a civil, rather than criminal offense? Like underpaying taxes without fraudulent intent.
I think The Kangaroo Court Team has lost this case.
Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport!
Tie Me Kangaroo Down!
Manafort appears to be a degenerate sleaze, but the media tears will be amazing if he wins this thing. Salt prices will be falling off a cliff!
Good points - thank you
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