08-01-2018, 07:35 PM
Judge Ellis is definitely known for being colorful in language and for pushing to keep trials as short as possible.
The Manafort trial seems to be going well for prosecutors. It's moving along more quickly than expected and they appear to have a large document trail and several witnesses lined up to show the jury how Manafort failed to report the many millions of dollars he made lobbying for Russian-backed Ukrainian politicians, then stashed the money in international accounts and spent it lavishly while evading paying any taxes on it. I believe they have the fraudulent bank loan applications Manafort submitted as well, along with the testimony of the banker to whom Manafort promised campaign and administration positions in exchange for loans.
No doubt that having Manafort's right hand, Rick Gates, as a cooperating witness since February assisted prosecutors in accumulating the evidence.
I think it was smart that prosecutors declined to commit as to whether Gates would testify at Manafort's first trial. "Rocket Docket" Judge Ellis didn't want prosecutors to present evidence once and then have Gates testify to the same evidence later. Ellis interrupted the prosecutor today, as he often does, and asked if Gates was going to testify to the same evidence later then why not leave it until then. So, the prosecutor said he was undecided on whether Gates would testify and was allowed to continue presenting his evidence.
Plus, after the defense revealed yesterday that their case revolves around blaming Gates for everything for which Manafort is charged, it could make the defense attorneys nervous if they're not sure whether they'll have a chance to cross-examine Gates and try to put HIM on trial. If the case is strong enough that Gates' testimony isn't needed, maybe prosecutors really will choose to pull that rug out from under Manafort's attorneys. If Gates does indeed testify, the prosecutors will have been able to present the evidence once and then reinforce it during Gates' testimony.
Anyway........I don't think lying, committing fraud, evading taxes, witness tampering, and the President making highly prejudicial public statements regarding ongoing criminal investigations is comical stuff............ but whatever tickles your funny bone.
The Manafort trial seems to be going well for prosecutors. It's moving along more quickly than expected and they appear to have a large document trail and several witnesses lined up to show the jury how Manafort failed to report the many millions of dollars he made lobbying for Russian-backed Ukrainian politicians, then stashed the money in international accounts and spent it lavishly while evading paying any taxes on it. I believe they have the fraudulent bank loan applications Manafort submitted as well, along with the testimony of the banker to whom Manafort promised campaign and administration positions in exchange for loans.
No doubt that having Manafort's right hand, Rick Gates, as a cooperating witness since February assisted prosecutors in accumulating the evidence.
I think it was smart that prosecutors declined to commit as to whether Gates would testify at Manafort's first trial. "Rocket Docket" Judge Ellis didn't want prosecutors to present evidence once and then have Gates testify to the same evidence later. Ellis interrupted the prosecutor today, as he often does, and asked if Gates was going to testify to the same evidence later then why not leave it until then. So, the prosecutor said he was undecided on whether Gates would testify and was allowed to continue presenting his evidence.
Plus, after the defense revealed yesterday that their case revolves around blaming Gates for everything for which Manafort is charged, it could make the defense attorneys nervous if they're not sure whether they'll have a chance to cross-examine Gates and try to put HIM on trial. If the case is strong enough that Gates' testimony isn't needed, maybe prosecutors really will choose to pull that rug out from under Manafort's attorneys. If Gates does indeed testify, the prosecutors will have been able to present the evidence once and then reinforce it during Gates' testimony.
Anyway........I don't think lying, committing fraud, evading taxes, witness tampering, and the President making highly prejudicial public statements regarding ongoing criminal investigations is comical stuff............ but whatever tickles your funny bone.