Manafort jury asks what happens if they can't come to conclusion on a single count

[mystery-ak]

Manafort jury asks what happens if they can't come to conclusion on a single count
By Morgan Chalfant and Lydia Wheeler - 08/21/18 11:41 AM EDT

The jury in the criminal trial against former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort on Tuesday sent a note to the judge asking what they should do if they can't come to a consensus on a single count.

The note suggests that the jury is having difficulty coming to a conclusion on at least one of the 18 counts facing Manafort, though it does not mean they have not come to conclusions on other counts.

Federal District Judge T.S. Ellis III reconvened the court shortly before 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, saying that the jury had sent the note.

The jurors asked what they should do “if we can’t come to a consensus on a single count,” Ellis said.

They also asked what that means for their final verdict, and said they would need a new verdict sheet.

The jury is in their fourth day of deliberations in the trial, the first test in court for special counsel Robert Mueller's team of prosecutors.

The note left people watching the court case closely guessing at its meaning.

While it could mean that the jury has reached a verdict on 17 of the 18 counts facing Manafort, it could also mean they have failed to reach a verdict on any of the counts. 

DEVELOPING

http://thehill.com/homenews/news/402837-manafort-jury-asks-what-happens-if-they-cant-come-to-conclusion-on-a-count

[Free Vulcan]

Mueller has so overplayed his hand that I really hope this all blows up in his face.

[Frank Cannon]

LOL. This ain't good for Stupid Bobby and his fraud of a case.

[jpsb]

Miss Trial, Manafort walks.

[jpsb]

Mueller has so overplayed his hand that I really hope this all blows up in his face.

 

[skeeter]

Miss Trial, Manafort walks.

If Manafort walks on all counts I wonder if he's got a case for malicious prosecution.

[WarmPotato]

A lot like the Cosby case - hung jury and angry public!

[kidd]

If he was guilty on 17 counts, and undecided on one count, I would guess that a jury would think  "17 of 18 guilty. He's going to jail for the rest of his life anyway. ok we'll say not guilty on that last one so we can finish"

If he was not guilty on 17 counts, then that 18th count becomes more important. It becomes a matter of jail or no jail.

[Bigun]

If he was guilty on 17 counts, and undecided on one count, I would guess that a jury would think  "17 of 18 guilty. He's going to jail for the rest of his life anyway. ok we'll say not guilty on that last one so we can finish"

If he was not guilty on 17 counts, then that 18th count becomes more important. It becomes a matter of jail or no jail.

I haven't seen the note so I can only speculate, but I think it is entirely possible that the jury cannot come to a consensus on ANY of the 18 counts.

[Wingnut]

I'm sensing a big not guilty on all the major counts.  Polly a guilty on a lesser bs charge that mueller piled on for good measure because he is an bleephole of the highest order...

[corbe]