Roger Stone Arraignment
A circus was expected but it turned out to be a routine, though well attended, fifteen minute arraignment. Stone will be back in court on Friday for a hearing before judge Amy Berman Jackson.
Meanwhile Manafort . . .
The indictment and early morning arrest of Roger Stone overshadowed Paul Manafort’s appearance in a DC courtroom yesterday. Manafort chose not to be there but judge Amy Berman Jackson insisted he attend the hearing over his lack of cooperation with the Special Counsel.
Leaning heavily on a cane as he walked into the courtroom, his hair a bit more gray, Manafort is looking old and tired.
The hearing will continue next week but under seal, behind closed doors so no sketches. However, on Tuesday Roger Stone will be at the DC courthouse for arraignment, and I wouldn’t want to miss that.
“I’m Not Hiding My Disgust”
A crowd of supporters showed up for what was expected to be a lenient sentencing for former national security advisor Michael Flynn, some no doubt hoping the judge would criticize the government for coming close to entrapment. But in an unexpected twist Judge Sullivan, who is known for holding government officials to a higher standard, instead focused his ire on the defendant.
“He was a high-ranking government official, advising the president of the United States,” Sullivan said. “I’m not hiding my disgust, my disdain, for this criminal offense.”
After repeatedly rebuking Flynn and having him admit on the record that he knew when he lied to the FBI that he was breaking the law, Judge Sullivan recessed the hearing so that Flynn could consult with his lawyers and decide if he wanted to continue with sentencing and almost certainly go to jail or continue cooperating with the government in the prosecution of his former business partners, and face sentencing at a later date. Flynn chose to postpone sentencing.
Manafort Wheeled Into Courtroom
Former Trump campaign manager, and now convicted felon, Paul Manafort appeared dour as he was wheeled into the courtroom for a pre-sentencing hearing in Alexandria yesterday. When Judge Ellis addressed him directly Manafort just stared into space. No details were given about his health, why he was in a wheelchair, or why his right foot was shoeless and covered with a thick white sock.
Manafort’s attorney Kevin Downing told Judge Ellis there are “significant issues with Mr. Manafort’s health right now that have to do with his confinement.”
It is not unusual for defendants facing incarceration to develop “significant health issues” shortly before sentencing. Judge Ellis set a sentencing date of February 8.
Some Doodles from the Manafort Trial
I took a lot of flak on Twitter for using the term crochet “needles” in my caption to the above. Word to the wise, don’t mess with crocheters!
About Me
Courtroom sketching is a form of visual journalism or reportage drawing that is slowly dying out. Where once upon a time news organization each had their own artist covering a story, today a “pool” artist often sketches for all. It is a demanding and stressful discipline where the drawing is often done directly and under tight deadline.
After forty-five years of news sketching in courtrooms and congress I’m calling it quits. It’s been sometimes fun, sometimes frustrating, almost always interesting. I’ve been lucky to work with some really great people. Don’t think I’ll miss it, but a little scared of not having a deadline.
While I won’t be sketching in court anymore, I may continue to post to this blog from time to time. Not sure what that might be. I’m about to start a new assignment documenting infrastructure and construction. Could be interesting.
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