It seems the central question of the trial, which is expected to last three weeks, is whether these financial schemes were directed by Manafort or Gates. Manafort stands accused of hiding millions of dollars he earned from political consulting in Ukraine from 2008 to 2014, then engaging in bank fraud to keep himself afloat when those funds dried up. Prosecutors: Manafort “believed the law did not apply to him” The Washington Post reports, “He smiled wanly.
#TAD DEVINE PAUL MANAFORT TRIAL#
The court will supply your lunch every day.”Īs the trial got underway, Manafort tried to make eye contact with the jury. He said he hoped they “will not hurry to slit your wrists,” joking, “There is a positive side to this. Judge Ellis repeatedly reminded jurors not to discuss the case with anyone, or do any outside research. “I’m not going to ask that question again.” Ellis III asked if anyone had a connection to the Justice Department, nine people raised their hands. The jurors were selected from a pool of about 60 jurors from Northern Virginia.
#TAD DEVINE PAUL MANAFORT SOFTWARE#
Attorneys, software developers and other government workers in mix.- justin jouvenal July 31, 2018 Manafort jury pool so far: Largely white, appears to be well-educated, and have gov connections - not surprising for Northern Virginia. The jury consists of six men and six women, with three men and one woman serving as alternates. There were also guest appearances from Bernie Sanders’s former chief strategist and a $15,000 jacket made from an ostrich.
Instead, jurors were presented with two portraits of Manafort: Prosecutors described him as a habitual liar who willfully avoided paying taxes to fund his lavish lifestyle, while the defense painted him as a gifted political strategist duped by his devious deputy, Rick Gates. Though this is the first trial stemming from Robert Mueller’s investigation (the second will come in September, when Manafort is tried for more explosive crimes in D.C.) no one mentioned the special counsel, Russia, or President Trump. Jury selection was completed just before 2 p.m., leaving time for both sides to offer their opening statements, and prosecutors to call their first witness. See his vest, see his vest, made from real ostrich chest.Īfter being delayed by six days, Paul Manafort’s trial got off to a swift start in Alexandria, Virginia on Tuesday.
0 kommentar(er)
