#ManafortThread - Update - Defense coming on HOT & HEAVY. (1/7)
Following hours of direct examination, Paul Manafort’s defense attorney Kevin Downing launched into cross examination swiftly, leaving no question over how tough attorneys would be with Manafort’s former associate.
Following hours of direct examination, Paul Manafort’s defense attorney Kevin Downing launched into cross examination swiftly, leaving no question over how tough attorneys would be with Manafort’s former associate.
Downing honed in the plea agreement Gates made with the special counsel in February.
“When did you start providing false and misleading information to the special counsel’s office?” Downing asked.
Gates hesitated for a moment.
“When did you start providing false and misleading information to the special counsel’s office?” Downing asked.
Gates hesitated for a moment.
“There were instances where I struggled with interviews and the details,” Gates said.
During direct examination, Gates’ face was often composed and emotionless. As he faced Downing, his brow furrowed.
But only for a moment.
During direct examination, Gates’ face was often composed and emotionless. As he faced Downing, his brow furrowed.
But only for a moment.
“I struggled to get all the information out correctly,” Gates said, blaming his “bad memory.”
Judge Ellis, and asked Gates for clarity: did he or did he not plead guilty to lying to authorities?
“I did your honor. To one count,” Gates said.
Judge Ellis, and asked Gates for clarity: did he or did he not plead guilty to lying to authorities?
“I did your honor. To one count,” Gates said.
Pushing Gates to relive the experience with special counsel, Downing moved on, asking Gates to explain how the special counsel discovered that he lied.
Gates said he was confronted by attorney Andrew Weissmann, special counsel Robert Mueller’s special assistant.
Gates said he was confronted by attorney Andrew Weissmann, special counsel Robert Mueller’s special assistant.
Downing’s blunt approach with Gates was mitigated only slightly at the start of cross examination.
Downing rounded the podium to approach Gates with an exhibit which he said would recount how Gates invested some of the funds he secretly routed from Manafort.
Downing rounded the podium to approach Gates with an exhibit which he said would recount how Gates invested some of the funds he secretly routed from Manafort.
Ellis stopped Downing in his tracks.
“In this court, you cannot cross that line,” Ellis said, indicating that Downing must stay back and allow the court security officer to pass documents to Gates for review.
“In this court, you cannot cross that line,” Ellis said, indicating that Downing must stay back and allow the court security officer to pass documents to Gates for review.
