Judge in Paul Manafort trial received threats
U.S. District Judge T.S. Ellis, who is presiding over the trial of Paul Manafort, said he personally had received threats related to the trial and was being protected by U.S. marshals. The judge also rejected a motion by some news organizations to make public the names of the jurors, saying he was concerned about the jury’s “peace and safety.” Chris Dignam report.
The judge presiding over the trial of former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort said on Friday he personally had received threats related to the trial and was being protected by U.S. marshals.
This coming as the jury in Virginia deliberated for a second day without reaching a verdict.
At the White House, when asked about whether he would pardon Manafort, President Trump didn’t rule it out.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP SAYING:
“I think the whole Manafort trial is very sad when you look at what’s going on there. I think it’s a very sad day for our country. He worked for me for a very short period of time. But you know what? He happens to be a very good person. And I think it’s very sad what they’ve done to Paul Manafort. Thank you very much.”
Manafort’s trial in federal court is the first stemming from Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russia’s role in the 2016 election.
Manafort is charged with 18 criminal counts of bank and tax fraud. If convicted on all counts, he could spend the rest of his life in prison.
The judge on Friday also rejected a motion by some news organizations to make the names of the jurors public, saying he was concerned about the jury’s “peace and safety.”
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