If you like reading legal tea leaves, this explanation of the interruptions and off the record conversations in the Manafort trial this week may prove interesting.
2/ Not saying I know what the heck is happening in chambers or in the jury room. I don't. I'm just telling you what I've seen and done in the past. I've even seen judges call counsel back to chambers and *encourage* them to reach some sort of a plea deal. Yes, really. It happens.
— Seth Abramson (@SethAbramson) August 11, 2018
4/ Defense lawyers are also most likely to give a client a final "come to Jesus" moment, if they plan to do that at all, after the prosecution rests (or close to that) and it's clear how strong or weak their case was. Or, a client may have their first and final "freak-out" then.
— Seth Abramson (@SethAbramson) August 11, 2018
PS/ Or this will turn out to be nothing. Just trying to give some perspective on what undoubtedly was been a series of strange conferences in chambers and/or the jury room today.
— Seth Abramson (@SethAbramson) August 11, 2018
Bear in mind that this is not the first time that proceedings have been delayed in this trial. Whatever the Manafort trial might be, it is not run of the mill.
More likely – there was a problem with a juror, and they considered removing the juror but determined they could proceed.
More likely – there was a problem with a juror and the judge considered removing the juror but determined they could proceed.
This is quite possible as well. Ever since this trial started there has been rampant speculation about what might happen next and I don’t expect that to stop.