On Sunday, we learned that there would be a conference call on Tuesday in the Roger Stone case. Some had hoped that U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson would address–or seek answers about–last week’s unforgettable controversy. That didn’t happen.
In fact, Judge Jackson completely ignored the high-profile resignations by federal prosecutors, ignored President Donald Trump’s tweets about her, ignored Attorney General William Barr’s public statements about the controversy, and didn’t directly address the juror controversy in the case.
Here’s what happened during the call: scheduling.
Judge Jackson acknowledged that she had received Stone’s sealed motion for a new trial, but said that she would not address the merits of it on the call. Stone’s Thursday sentencing–despite the defense’s protestations–will proceed as planned. Crucially, though, the result of that sentencing will not go into effect unless and until Jackson decides what to do with Stone’s motion for a new trial.
Judge: "This call is for scheduling purposes only; I don’t expect to discuss the merits of the motion or the sentencing at this time." Stone has filed sealed motion for a new trial
— Rachel Weiner (@rachelweinerwp) February 18, 2020
Judge Berman Jackson rules – Roger Stone's sentencing will go forward Thursday as planned, while motions for a new trial are being argued. The execution of the sentence will be deferred until she decides on those motions.
— Rachel Weiner (@rachelweinerwp) February 18, 2020
The call was by all accounts brief, with one reporter saying it took all of 10 minutes.
Judge Amy Berman Jackson, during a conference with Roger Stone's defense team and the Justice Department, ultimately wanted to check in with attorneys to see whether they were prepared to move forward with Thursday’s sentencing for Stone.
— Shimon Prokupecz (@ShimonPro) February 18, 2020
In a 10ish minute hearing, a federal judge said she would not delay Roger Stone's sentencing (schedule for Thursday), as he seeks a retrial https://t.co/nj4zxCxDLN https://t.co/i4CfWH6rLy
— Tierney Sneed (@Tierney_Megan) February 18, 2020
Judge Jackson’s approach on Tuesday was in keeping with what some have been hoping for: don’t rock the boat, ignore the president’s tweets and attacks, do the job of the judiciary.
This is ridiculous and increases the politicization of the judiciary.
The right approach is to decide sentences & cases without regard to Trump's blabber. Not hold "emergency meetings." https://t.co/DO4sYfnYfb
— Andy Grewal (@AndyGrewal) February 17, 2020
[Image via Alex Wong/Getty Images]
