The Thursday update to the Paul Manafort trial is that there is no update — sort of. While the jury is set to continue its deliberations into Friday, they submitted a list of four questions to Judge T.S. Ellis III.
One of those four questions had people buzzing. Law&Crime’s Colin Kalmbacher reports from the Eastern District of Virginia courtroom that these were the four questions that were asked:
No verdict. Jury had questions re: (1) requirements for disclosure of foreign bank accounts; (2) a definition of “shelf company”; (3) wanted “reasonable doubt” reexplained; and (4) wanted to know if evidence list could be keyed to each charge on indictment. #EDVA #ManafortTrial
— Colin Kalmbacher (@colinkalmbacher) August 16, 2018
It’s the third question, asking for another explanation of “reasonable doubt,” that many are keying in on. As everyone knows, it is up to the jury to decide whether Manafort is guilty of the bank fraud and tax evasion crimes he is accused of committing. In order to arrive at that verdict, the jury needs to determine based on evidence whether Manafort is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Judge Ellis’ answer to the third question was as follows:
Judge Ellis’ answers: (1) re-read jury instruction directly addressing disclosure requirements; (2) ‘You must rely on your collective recollection,’ (3) ‘It’s not all doubt, but doubt based on reason,’ and (4) ‘No.’ #EDVA #ManafortTrial
— Colin Kalmbacher (@colinkalmbacher) August 16, 2018
Manafort jury asked 4 questions. Judge Ellis gave them answers in open court. most interestin question was “redefine reasonable doubt.”
Ellis- “the government is not required to prove the defendant guilty beyond all possible doubt, only beyond all reasonable doubt…”— Jake Gibson (@JakeBGibson) August 16, 2018
“It’s not all doubt, but doubt based on reason,” he said. “The government is not required to prove the defendant guilty beyond all possible doubt, only beyond all reasonable doubt.”
Although a mere asking of the question does not in itself suggest the jury is leaning one way or another, the question is apparently being given great weight on social media. A couple of reporters are saying this suggests the case may not be a “slam dunk” in the minds of the jurors.
Paul Manafort's jurors asked if the judge could "redefine" for them "reasonable doubt."
They also asked two questions related to Manafort's tax filing and foreign bank account disclosure charges.— Shimon Prokupecz (@ShimonPro) August 16, 2018
*MANAFORT JURY ASKS JUDGE TO REDEFINE `REASONABLE DOUBT' https://t.co/d1dKfNTcWX
— David S. Joachim (@davidjoachim) August 16, 2018
Manafort defense team had used a chart (kind of like this) to emphasize how high of a burden reasonable doubt is, so it makes sense that jurors might want some clarity from the judge. Defense told jurors to “hold the government to its burden.” pic.twitter.com/Y4XjEbmhYU
— Ryan J. Reilly (@ryanjreilly) August 16, 2018
BREAKING: Jury in Manafort case sends note asking for legal definitions on filing requirements for overseas accounts, also for clarification on 'reasonable doubt.' Suggests jurors may not view case as a slam dunk. Story TK
— Josh Gerstein (@joshgerstein) August 16, 2018
The note the jury sent to the judge in the Paul Manafort trial is NOT that they have reached a verdict. The jury had four questions, one on the definition of "reasonable doubt," and will continue deliberations tomorrow.
— Facts Do Matter (@WilDonnelly) August 16, 2018
NEWS – still no verdict after day 1 of jury deliberations in the paul manafort case. jurors had 4 questions, including to define "reasonable doubt" — casts doubt on if the former trump campaign chairman will be guilty on all 18 counts. story TK
— kelly cohen (@politiCOHEN_) August 16, 2018
It's impossible to speculate about juror notes (trust me). That said, asking the court to "redefine" reasonable doubt likely means there has been discussion abt quantum of proof and some jurors are not sure if there is enough evidence (for how many of the 32 counts we don't know)
— LB (@beyondreasdoubt) August 16, 2018
I agree. Hung jury odds have just gone up, in my view. https://t.co/EoJSDh6yjr
— Laurence Tribe (@tribelaw) August 16, 2018
Manafort attorney Kevin Downing was pleased with the question.
Manafort attorney asked by reporter if ‘good sign’ jury asked judge to redefine ‘reasonable doubt’— “I think it’s all a good sign yes,” Kevin Downing says outside federal court
— Lucas Tomlinson (@LucasFoxNews) August 16, 2018
Former federal prosecutor Renato Mariotti told Law&Crime this was not good news for Team Mueller.
“It’s not good for prosecutors,” he said. “It suggests that some jurors are trying to convince a holdout.”
Editor’s note: this story was updated after publication with additional information.
[Image via Drew Angerer/Getty Images]