Are we going to learn there is a secret cabal of furries working in the Trump administration?
Isn’t it great that the prosecutors in Virginia have tons of documentation of Manifort’s multiple alleged crimes? Remember, they were debating whether to call Gates as a witness and must have concluded he would contribute something worthwhile. We’ll see if putting Gates on the stand was the right call, but the jury will have access to the documents.
What bearing does Gates’ life, secret or not, have on whether Manafort broke the law?
It’s a complicated formula. You and I wouldn’t understand.
“the secret life of Rick Gates,”
I thought everybody had one.
“Have they presented you with so many lies that you can’t remember?” Downing asked.
From the “Have you stopped beating your wife?” school of law.
From the reports of what was in the opening with references to Gates, I don’t think that the prosecution had much of a choice as to whether to call him. They opened him with him featured prominently, and it could have been used against them in the closing if they hadn’t called him - what are they trying to hide. Better to let the defense beat him up a bit in front of the jury than potentially leave some unanswered questions that the defense team can argue around. My question is if the defense calls any witnesses at all?
Downing also became visibly frustrated with the witness. Gates struggled to answer Downing’s questions about which of his transactions were legitimate and which were not, prompting Downing to complain that Gates “seemed to have perfect recollection” when being questioned by Greg Andres, a lawyer for the prosecution.
Weird, it’s almost like maybe the prosecution gave the cooperating witness some ideas of the questions they’d ask in advance, and because he knew what was coming he didn’t have to dredge his memory for tidbits on the spot, and because the prosecution knew what he knew confidently, they didn’t ask him any questions that they knew he couldn’t answer confidently.
Positively befuddling, that. I’m sure it wasn’t all a show for the jury, though.
I am shocked, just shocked that Manifort’s sidekick is not an honest, upstanding, family man - except for all the dirty work he did for Manifort and that he’s cooperating because he confessed to crimes and wants a lighter sentence.
Whoa, it’s Sebastian Gorka!
Evidence of crimes of deceit is admissible to attack witness credibility.
Gates at least sat in the hot seat for questioning. Is Manafort going to do that? I would be astounded if he does.
“Become visibly frustrated” is practically in your notes when you’re attacking the credibility of the other side’s witnesses. It’s how you try to make an honest failure of recollection look like deception.
Exactly. Also WAPO has it that Judge Cranky interrupted Gates - not the prosecution this time, Gates - to ask him about “his lying.” Gee I wonder if that maybe threw a little.
Also, for all the Judge Crank defenders out there - WAPO also confirms that, historically, this judge is typically brutal on defendants, and notoriously pro-prosecution. Gee I do wonder what is different here.
ETA—for typos, and to wonder/express frustration that more reporters haven’t picked up on this. I mean, the president is reportedly gloating about this judge in private—does he know something we don’t, as with the election being “rigged?” Did Manafort and Crank cross paths, when Paulie was an up and comer for Reagan, and Crank was about to become a nominee? Should these at least be pursued?
At this point, the defense will pull out emails showing Manfort was in contact with a Nigerian Emissary who would like his bank routing number to deposit funds for safe keeping with a handsome fee for doing so.
See, see he is a total dit and idiot, gullible and easily manipulated by Mr. gates.
And just to gild the lily, Manafort will be seen asking his lawyer, “You mean that letter wasn’t real?”
“The secret life of Rick Gates.”
Danny Kaye would be an excellent choice for the lead in this movie.
So Rick Gates, who has already confessed to committing multiple crimes, has been dishonest in the past. That makes Paul Manafort innocent how?
ADA Jack McCoy to Judge Heinz - “if you’re going to try my case for me, I’d appreciate you not losing it”