Posted on 08/14/2018 11:21:43 AM PDT by detective
Lawyers for former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort will not call witnesses or present evidence, resting their defense early Tuesday afternoon in the first criminal trial arising from special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation of Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election.
By resting the defense without presenting a case, Manafort lawyers are effectively telling the jury that the prosecution has clearly failed to meet its burden. This tactic is common during criminal trials.
Speaking on Fox News Tuesday, former federal prosecutor Andrew McCarthy speculated that the defense was so satisfied with its cross-examination of onetime Manafort confidant Rick Gates that it did not feel compelled to present its own evidence.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailycaller.com ...
Unlike the average defendant, he’s probably going to get a pardon at some point.
Yup - very likely, if they even get a conviction. I think a hung jury is a real possibility.
A snowball has a far better chance of surviving in hell than does a conservative Republican facing a criminal trial in Washington, DC--where the jurors are chosen from the city's residents.
Jury nullification sometimes happens in federal court.
I think a hung jury is inevitable. If I was a juror, I’d never convict him if for no other reason than Mueller giving immunity to so many witnesses. Also, a CPA filed the tax returns. It was her responsibility to make sure they were accurate, and she admitted she filed the false returns.
Even though Gates impeached himself, I still would have called him to the stand.
I stayed at a Holiday Inn one time...
5.56mm
“If you want to walk, you have to talk.”
An acquittal on all charges would make the prosecutor cry.
I hope they find him not guilty. It will make Mule and his goons look ridiculous.
If the jury comes back before the day is out then we’ll know
If they don’t then that means they think there is something to actually think about...
Apparently, the reason for the long recess last week is that at least one of the jurors has violated the sequestration and tried to share outside news reports or some other documents with another juror. If that juror isn’t removed expect Manafort’s lawyers to ask for a mistrial.
I wouldn’t have done that.
Even if I had a slam dunk, I’d still present evidence and arguments.
This is the alleged juror misconduct. https://lawandcrime.com/high-profile/a-juror-may-cost-mueller-big-time-in-manafort-trial/
Gates was on the stand. Called by prosecution. Cross-examined by defense. Witness excused.
That would be fun. Or a mistrial. This circus is getting old.
Thanks.
5.56mm
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