Manafort case judge warns Mueller team they 'can't prove conspiracy' without star witness

[Revmitchell]

The federal judge in the trial of ex-Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort told Special Counsel Robert Mueller's team on Thursday they cannot prove a key part of their case unless prosecutors call Manafort’s former business partner to the stand.

U.S. District Court Judge T.S. Ellis III issued the warning after prosecutors suggested Wednesday that Rick Gates – who is cooperating with prosecutors and had been considered a potential star witness – might not be called to the stand after all.

Referencing Gates, Ellis told prosecutors in court they “can’t prove conspiracy without him.”

“Not necessarily,” Mueller prosecutor Greg Andres responded, before saying they still have “every intention” to call Gates to the stand.

Ellis, a 78-year-old Reagan-appointed judge known for colorful comments, also quipped that his “wife wasn’t fooled” by the prosecution’s comments on Wednesday leaving open the option of not calling Gates — suggesting he did not believe the prosecution was being serious about the possibility.

Manafort case judge warns Mueller team they 'can't prove conspiracy' without star witness

 

[carpro]

The prosecution's games continue.

 

[Reynolds]

The federal judge in the trial of ex-Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort told Special Counsel Robert Mueller's team on Thursday they cannot prove a key part of their case unless prosecutors call Manafort’s former business partner to the stand.

U.S. District Court Judge T.S. Ellis III issued the warning after prosecutors suggested Wednesday that Rick Gates – who is cooperating with prosecutors and had been considered a potential star witness – might not be called to the stand after all.

Referencing Gates, Ellis told prosecutors in court they “can’t prove conspiracy without him.”

“Not necessarily,” Mueller prosecutor Greg Andres responded, before saying they still have “every intention” to call Gates to the stand.

Ellis, a 78-year-old Reagan-appointed judge known for colorful comments, also quipped that his “wife wasn’t fooled” by the prosecution’s comments on Wednesday leaving open the option of not calling Gates — suggesting he did not believe the prosecution was being serious about the possibility.

Manafort case judge warns Mueller team they 'can't prove conspiracy' without star witness

I can honestly say that this is the first time in my life I fear the Federal Govt. I have done nothing wrong, but the Trump witch hunt shows that they can ruin people who have done no wrong if they so choose.

 

[777]

This entire case against Manafort is ridiculous, and this Judge Ellis realizes that. He also told the prosecution to stop saying the word "oligarchy" and asked what was wrong with expensive clothes, lol.

You can talk all day about Tommy Robinson and the UK justice system but this is an example of how the American system can go south. Max security for a tax fraud case from 2005? Obvious - and this same judge has said as much - that Mueller and the other Dem lawyers are trying to pressure Manafort for Trump dirt, and so far, it ain't working.

 

[Reynolds]

This entire case against Manafort is ridiculous, and this Judge Ellis realizes that. He also told the prosecution to stop saying the word "oligarchy" and asked what was wrong with expensive clothes, lol.

You can talk all day about Tommy Robinson and the UK justice system but this is an example of how the American system can go south. Max security for a tax fraud case from 2005? Obvious - and this same judge has said as much - that Mueller and the other Dem lawyers are trying to pressure Manafort for Trump dirt, and so far, it ain't working.

Agreed. The deep state is at work.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

This entire case against Manafort is ridiculous, and this Judge Ellis realizes that. He also told the prosecution to stop saying the word "oligarchy" and asked what was wrong with expensive clothes, lol.

You can talk all day about Tommy Robinson and the UK justice system but this is an example of how the American system can go south. Max security for a tax fraud case from 2005? Obvious - and this same judge has said as much - that Mueller and the other Dem lawyers are trying to pressure Manafort for Trump dirt, and so far, it ain't working.

You do know that Mueller is a Republican.

 

[Calminian]

You do know that Mueller is a Republican.

Actually he's not. Very liberal democrat regardless of registration. Just look at the team he assembled.

 

[777]

Yeah, and look at his lead prosecutor in the Manafort case - registered D, contributes heavily to his party and is a crybaby:

Manafort trial judge suggests prosecutor so ‘frustrated’ he’s tearing up

this trial is a circus and Gates did a terrible job on direct testimony yesterday, just wait until he's cross-examined.