Manafort guilty on 8 counts; mistrial declared on 10 other charges A federal jury in Virginia convicted Paul Manafort, President Donald Trump's former campaign chairman, on eight counts on Tuesday, but the judge declared a mistrial on the 10 other charges he faced. Manafort was convicted on five counts of tax fraud, one count of failing to file reports of foreign bank and financial accounts and two counts of bank fraud. A mistrial was declared in three counts of failing to file reports of foreign bank and financial accounts, and seven counts of bank fraud and bank fraud conspiracy. The trial was the first public test of special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation, and while the special counsel was vindicated, the victory wasn't total. READ MORE Share this -







Jury sent back for further deliberations The jury has been sent back for further deliberations by Judge Ellis at 11:55. He said, "You should not change your honest conviction soley for the purpose of other jurors or just to come to a verdict. Judge Ellis implored them to come to consensus, and if they then could not,he would consider the necessity of a hung jury. Share this -







Jury submits question to judge on Day 4 of deliberations The jury began Day 4 of deliberations in the Manafort fraud trial at 9:37 a.m., and just before 11 a.m., the jury delivered a note to the judge, prompting a flurry of activity. It was a question, not a verdict: What if we can't come to a consensus on one count? Share this -







Jury begins day 3 of deliberations Judge Ellis brought the jury into the courtroom promptly at 9:30 a.m. Monday morning and called roll. Jurors were asked if they were able to stay away from news reports and other influences over the weekend, and they all answered that they had. Deliberations resumed at 9:34 a.m. Share this -







Jury dismissed for weekend with no verdict yet reached Judge Ellis dismissed the jury for the weekend and told them to reconvene at 9:30 a.m. Monday. Jurors were dismissed at 4:55 p.m. Share this -







Jury note: We want to go home at 5 p.m. The jury gave Judge Ellis a note to let him know that they'll finish deliberations for the day at 5 p.m, because one of the members of the jury has an event they'd like to attend tonight. Court will reconvene at 4:50 p.m. After that, the jury will be asked what time they wish to report on Monday. Share this -







Judge says he has gotten threats, won't reveal juror names District Court Judge T.S. Ellis, who is overseeing the bank and tax fraud trial of former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort, said Friday that he has received threats that necessitate U.S. marshal protection to and from the courthouse. "I had no idea that this case would excite these emotions, I will tell you that frankly," Ellis told the court as the jury deliberated for a second day. The case is being tried in Alexandria, Virginia. Ellis's admission came during an afternoon hearing brought by a coalition of media outlets, including NBC News, to unseal juror names and bench conference transcripts of conversations the judge had with the defense and the prosecution. READ MORE Share this -







Jury resumes deliberations, judge grants hearing to unseal documents The jury resumed deliberations at 9:37 a.m. on Friday after being empaneled by Judge T.S. Ellis. Judge Ellis also responded to a request from media organizations to unseal certain documents. Ellis granted the request to intervene and will schedule a hearing to hear arguments "sometime after 2 p.m." He reiterated that all sealings in the case will be unsealed after the trial is over. It would be disruptive to unseal certain documents during the trial, he said. Nevertheless, he will consider the request. "I'm no stranger to criticism," Ellis said. "This case has brought it to a new level." Share this -







Jury asks 4 questions, including query about reasonable doubt The note, delivered to Judge Ellis minutes ago, contains four questions from the jury. The judge heard argument from both sides as to the answers. Court is now dismissed for the day, and the jury will resume deliberations at 9:30 a.m. Friday. Here are the questions from the jury, and the answers the judge gave. Question: Is one required to file an FBAR if they own less than 50% of the company and no signatory authority? Answer: After suggestion from the prosecution, Judge Ellis reread Jury Instruction #53, which defined FBARs, and the details surrounding FBARS. ELLIS: A person is an owner of record (Owner of FBAR) if a person is acting on behalf of a US person with access and control of the account, OR if a US person who owned more than 50% of company. Q: Define "shelf company"? A: Rely on collective recollection. Q: Can you redefine reasonable doubt? A: The government is not required to prove beyond "all possible doubt," just doubt that can be reasoned. Q: Can the exhibit list be amended to include the indictment? A: No. Share this -





