Mere seconds into the first words spoken to a jury from the special counsel team investigating Russian interference in the 2016 election, Judge T.S. Ellis III interrupted. “Focus on the elements of the offense,” the 78-year-old jurist interjected Tuesday as Assistant U.S. Attorney Uzo Asonye described Paul Manafort as a man who believed he was above the law. Soon after, Ellis interrupted again, as Asonye sketched for jurors Manafort’s luxurious lifestyle. “It isn’t a crime to be profligate in your spending,” Ellis said. He soon admonished defense attorney Thomas Zehnle in a similar fashion. “I take it you plan to...