Judge Ellis is doing the right thing by being tough on the prosecutors.
1. The "paper" case against Manafort seems to be strong already. The prosecutors are pushing it with Manafort's wardrobe. The rule is that evidence must be more probitive than prejudicial to be admissible...
1. The "paper" case against Manafort seems to be strong already. The prosecutors are pushing it with Manafort's wardrobe. The rule is that evidence must be more probitive than prejudicial to be admissible...
2. I understand the relevance of Manafort's expensive tastes, but at a certain point, it's overkill and prejudicial (getting the jury to dislike him personally). Judge Ellis is saving them from small risk on appeal and larger risk of broader legitimacy of a conviction.
3. The prosecutors did make some errors, and it's good for the prosecution for the trial judge clean up those errors, even with "sass," rather than an appellate court clean up by overturning a conviction. And a jury won't feel railroaded and rebel against the prosecution.
4. I just wish judges were this tough on prosecutors in less high-profile cases with less adequately represented defendants...
