Did the jurors have it out for Paul Manafort? Was the media looking at confidential document’s on the counsel’s tables?
Newly unsealed court transcripts revealed jurors were trashing Manafort’s defense as ‘weak’ BEFORE the deliberations began.
Jurors are not supposed to discuss the ongoing case until all the evidence is presented and deliberations begin.
On the ninth day of the trial, one of the jurors felt another juror “crossed the line” when she said she didn’t believe Manafort had much of a case to present.
An attorney who obtained the newly unsealed transcripts for Manafort’s tax and bank fraud trial breaks down what really happened with the jurors and the media in the courtroom.
“Did certain jurors have it out for Paul Manafort?”
REVEALED: The unsealed transcripts from the Manafort case.
Did certain jurors have it out for Paul Manafort?
Was the media looking at confidential documents on the counsel’s tables?
Thread. pic.twitter.com/NpRwgEnciA
— Techno Fog (@Techno_Fog) August 22, 2018
One juror claimed Manafort “couldn’t have much to present” before the prosecution even rested their case.
8/10: Before the Gov’t case had rested, one juror was claiming Manafort “couldn’t have much to present.”
Before Manafort had made the decision whether to present evidence. pic.twitter.com/rbHAKp9ylm
— Techno Fog (@Techno_Fog) August 22, 2018
On day 9, well before the deliberations began, a juror made it clear that she didn’t feel the defense really had anything to offer for the rest of the trial.
This juror made it clear that she didn’t feel that the defense really had anything to offer for the rest of the trial.
This was 9 days into the trial. The Govt was still presenting its case. pic.twitter.com/kfLDu8tcIO
— Techno Fog (@Techno_Fog) August 22, 2018
Judge Ellis asked if other jurors made similar remarks. Apparently, yes.
Judge: Have other jurors made similar remarks?
Juror: Similar, but not as — not as clear as that was made to me. pic.twitter.com/ZAsuM4Shm3
— Techno Fog (@Techno_Fog) August 22, 2018
Judge Ellis confronts the juror who made the comment. Juror evades and responds “no I don’t think so” when Judge Ellis asks if they have made up their mind in the case.
Judge Ellis confronts the juror who made the comment. The juror evades.
Judge: Have you made any comments that would suggest you’ve made up your mind in this case?
Juror: “No, I don’t think so.” pic.twitter.com/1RiiINP1oT
— Techno Fog (@Techno_Fog) August 22, 2018
Sounds like the juror is lying to Judge Ellis after they reply “I don’t recall, but I mean — what I meant was that it would be really hard to have to defend against that.”
Judge: Did you say “The defendant has not present any evidence and I am unimpressed?”
Juror: “I don’t recall, but I mean — what I meant was that it would be really hard to have to defend against that.”
(Editorial: She sounds like she’s lying to the court.) pic.twitter.com/c1X2XxyZX9
— Techno Fog (@Techno_Fog) August 22, 2018
Judge Ellis lectured the juror on the presumption of innocence then proposed bringing in each juror one by one to make sure they can do their job fairly and impartially.
How did the Court respond to this situation?
8/14: Judge proposed bringing in the jurors one by one and making sure they can do their job fairly and impartially. pic.twitter.com/MH2YbsaNtm
— Techno Fog (@Techno_Fog) August 23, 2018
First juror is asked, “Have you heard any other jurors discuss the weight of effect of the evidence?” to which they reply, “Not really”…The remaining jurors say “no.”
First juror gets questioned.
Judge: “Have you heard any other jurors discuss the weight or effect of the evidence?”
Juror: “Not really.” pic.twitter.com/bMHMVq0BXr
— Techno Fog (@Techno_Fog) August 23, 2018
Judge denies Manafort’s motion for a mistrial.
At the same sealed hearing the Judge denies Manafort’s motion for a mistrial. pic.twitter.com/3drj5TaLP7
— Techno Fog (@Techno_Fog) August 23, 2018
Manafort’s defense raises his motion that the juror be “excluded from the jury based on her lack of candor with the court.” Judge Ellis denied the motion.
8/15: Counsel for Manafort raises his motion that the juror be “excluded from the jury based on her lack of candor with the court”
The judge later denies that motion, noting the juror denials left him in a position “where I don’t know who is dishonest”
But someone was dishonest pic.twitter.com/tNGWcO7OSP
— Techno Fog (@Techno_Fog) August 23, 2018
The names of the jurors are still under seal and the transcript of the discussion about Rick Gates is still redacted, Techno Fog said after he reviewed the transcripts.
After four days of deliberations, the jury reached a verdict on 8 counts and could not make a decision on 10 counts in the tax evasion and bank fraud case against Paul Manafort.
Judge Ellis declared a mistrial on 10 counts. The jury found Manafort guilty on 8 counts.
Paul Manafort now faces up to 80 years in prison; the sentencing date has not been set yet.
‘Manafort is evaluating all of his options at this point,’ defense attorney Kevin Downing told reporters outside of the Alexandria, VA courthouse Tuesday evening.
The prosecutors have until August 29th to decide what to do with the mistrial charges.
