Star witness Rick Gates may not testify?
So are we seeing some holes in the prosecution case?
Apparently team Mueller spent most of the first couple of days trying to show the jury how rich Manafort was, and what sort of lifestyle he led, and what sort of people he hung out with.
The Judge first suggested that team Mueller stop referring to Russian associates as "oligarchs". He determined that the term had a derogatory meaning, was being used as an implication that Manafort was hanging around "bad people" (when team Mueller had not proven they were bad), and basically had no relevance to the case.
The Judge then disallowed pictures of some of Manafort's belongings, including a picture of his closet, which team Mueller wanted to use to show Manafort having a "lavish lifestyle". The judge deemed them "unnecessary, irrelevant, and prejudicial". "Enough is enough. We don't convict people because they have a lot of money and throw it around," he said.
Today Judge Ellis interrupted prosecution as they were questioning an FBI agent about a financial document authored by Gates (the prosecution star witness who has plead guilty to much of what Manafort is accused of). The judge stated that such testimony was a waste of time since Gates will also be testifying to the same thing.
Team Manafort snot back with the suggestion that Gates may not actually testify. Judge Ellis responded with "That's news to me and about 25 others who scurried out of here like rats on a sinking ship" (apparently the entire media crew left the courtroom to report on the statement).
On another odd note, Judge Ellis stated "I’m hoping to finish this case much sooner than anyone predicted.” This suggests that he is planning on cutting short much of the peripheral plans of the prosecution to "paint a broad picture" of Manafort, and forcing prosecution to actually move to prove the allegations of conspiracy and tax fraud.
Things could be better for prosecution at this point.
23 comments:
Another Triggered Alky.
"A man hailing from Erie County, New York was arrested after allegedly leaving House Majority Whip Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA) a voicemail insinuating harm against his children in retaliation for President Donald Trump’s border enforcement policies.
Carlos Bayon, a 63-year-old man residing in Grand Island, stands accused of issuing an interstate threat.
“Hey listen, this message is for you and the people that sent you there. You are taking ours, we are taking yours. Anytime, anywhere,” Bayon allegedly threatened Rep. Scalise on June 30. He allegedly continued:
We know where they are. We are not going to feed them sandwiches, we are going to feed them lead. Make no mistake you will pay. Ojo por ojo, diente por diente. That is our law and we are the majority. Have a good day."
Not enough to actual shot him, now go after wife and Kids.
Another Triggered Alky.
"A man hailing from Erie County, New York was arrested after allegedly leaving House Majority Whip Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA) a voicemail insinuating harm against his children in retaliation for President Donald Trump’s border enforcement policies.
Carlos Bayon, a 63-year-old man residing in Grand Island, stands accused of issuing an interstate threat.
“Hey listen, this message is for you and the people that sent you there. You are taking ours, we are taking yours. Anytime, anywhere,” Bayon allegedly threatened Rep. Scalise on June 30. He allegedly continued:
We know where they are. We are not going to feed them sandwiches, we are going to feed them lead. Make no mistake you will pay. Ojo por ojo, diente por diente. That is our law and we are the majority. Have a good day."
Not enough to actual shot him, now go after wife and Kids.
The thing that most folks will remember from the first week of Manafort’s trial on bank and tax fraud charges is his $15,000 ostrich-leather bomber jacket instead of a minor judicial decision.
"It is now revealed in testimony at the Paul Manafort trial that the FBI was prepared to do more than knock. FBI Agent Matthew Mikuska testified that after three knocks at the door to the Manafort condo, they just left themselves in with a key. What the heck is that all about? Where did this key come from and how was it legal for them to use it. Their warrant was not a no-knock warrant. Does this set a new standard for FBI raids? How many other homes do the FBI agents already have a key for?"
https://greatamericanrepublic.com/fbi-raid-on-paul-manaforts-condo-reveals-a-strange-new-fact/
"Where did this key come from and how was it legal for them to use it. Their warrant was not a no-knock warrant. Does this set a new standard for FBI raids? How many other homes do the FBI agents already have a key for?"
A "no knock warrant" are reserved for High risk to the officers serving the warrent. Where the element of surprise is to the advantage of the LEO.
Having secured a key is a very intelligent move. Again officer safety.
It is a condo, most have managers, most will give up the key to LEO's with a search warrant. Rather not have the door breached and the hassle or repair/replace.
President Donald Trump issued one of his patented Twitter endorsements on Thursday, urging people to vote for a top political ally next week.
Trump tweeted that Rep. Steve Stivers (R-Ohio), who is leading House Republicans’ efforts to keep the chamber in this fall’s midterm elections, has earned his “full [and] total endorsement.” Stivers, Trump wrote, “has done a fantastic job” as chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee.
But there was just one problem: He’s not on the ballot.
"Well, @realDonaldTrump, at least I will go down as a president," Obama responded"
Some tweets don't age well, eh drunkard?
Its a hoax and a Witch Hunt! Rallies and tweets
August 1st 2018:
1: Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats: "In regards to Russian involvement in the midterm elections, we continue to see a pervasive messaging campaign by Russia to try to weaken and divide the United States."
2:Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen: "Our democracy itself is in the crosshairs."
3:FBI Director Christopher Wray: "Just last week, ... we disseminated a list to our state and local law enforcement partners of various foreign influence indicators for them to be on the lookout for — things like malicious cyber activity, social abnormalities, and foreign propaganda activities."
4:National security adviser John Bolton: "We meet on this constantly, the senior staff here at the White House."
The thing that most folks will remember from the first week of Manafort’s trial on bank and tax fraud charges is his $15,000 ostrich-leather bomber jacket instead of a minor judicial decision.
Which is sort of the point, isn't it?
Btw... what is the usual sentence when someone is convicted for owning a $15,000 jacket Roger?
Blogger Roger Amick said...
Its a hoax and a Witch Hunt! Rallies and tweets
well alky, i'll tell you what it isn't -
it isn't a case where any foreign power manipulated or changed votes cast through our actual voting system affecting the outcome of the election.
i don't know whose idea it was to trot out all those folks to make all those statements regarding russia and their propaganda effort, but it sure didn't impress me.
Blogger Roger Amick said...
The thing that most folks will remember from the first week of Manafort’s trial on bank and tax fraud charges is his $15,000 ostrich-leather bomber jacket instead of a minor judicial decision.
well duh, alky.
if the case against manafort is so strong, why are the prosecutors spending so much time and effort trying to gin up wealth envy among the jurors? and using words like 'oligarch'? really? even the judge had to tell them to knock it off, multiple times.
manafort's "crime" is that he spent a few months working for a guy who was not supposed to win a presidential election.
He apparently concealed millions of income from the IRS.
"i don't know whose idea it was to trot out all those folks to make all those statements regarding russia and their propaganda effort, but it sure didn't impress me."
Actually, I thought it was a pretty good idea.
Sure beats the two-bit community organizer's secret do nothings.
THEN followed up with pretty boy Acosta's meltdown - priceless.
Blogger Roger Amick said...
He apparently concealed millions of income from the IRS.
huh. and all this time i thought mueller was using manafort to arrive at some illegality regarding trump.
instead we get a completely unrelated tax evasion prosecution.
impressive.
Sure beats the two-bit community organizer's secret do nothings.
well, that's a given, isn't it?
skeets' staff consisted entirely of hyper-partisan asshats who politicized everything. i mean, when you're placing campaign van drivers like tommy vietor in positions of power...
...need i say more?
"instead we get a completely unrelated tax evasion prosecution.
impressive."
I know I'll sleep better...
"need i say more?"
HA! Smackdown deserved!!
I can take it like a man!
LOL. no smackdown. i didn't mean it as such.
Next Up Mueller goes all in on Jay walking charge.
Then onto Boris and Natasha Fatale.
Got it Old broken Roger.
CommonsenseAugust 3, 2018 at 6:26 AM
Q who?
Pssst, watch out, they framed Roger Rabbit"
"It's the Economy"
157,000 NEW Jobs
Unemployment @ 3.9 %
Manufacturing up again Bigly.
He apparently concealed millions of income from the IRS.
And that can be proven by showing a picture of a jacket?
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