,
31 tweets,
5 min read
Read on Twitter
Roger Stone is now seated at the defense table for a hearing on his Instagram post.
“Live tweeting a hearing on an Instagram post made by President Donald Trump’s associate” is not a sentence that would've make much sense in 2005. “Roger Stone could go to jail,” on the other hand...
U.S. District Court Judge Amy Berman Jackson is at the bench. The Instagram post has been marked as Exhibit 1.
Defense attorney says he want to put Stone on the witness stand. Judge says he'll give him that opportunity. Defense attorney says Stone "would like to have another opportunity to comply" with the judge's order.
Roger Stone is now taking the stand.
STONE: "I believe I abused the order, for which I am heart fully sorry. I am kicking myself over my own stupidity... I offer no excuse for it, no justification..." Calls it a lapse in judgement called by stress.
STONE: "This is just a stupid lapse in judgment." Says his business has dried up and he's exhausted his savings. "My apology is sincere and it it heartfelt."
STONE: "I can only say I'm sorry yet again it was an egregious mistake." Tells judge he's sorry he abused her trust. Says he's not being paid to speak about the case. "Perhaps I talk to much, but I am under enormous pressure."
Stone claims he's having trouble putting food on the table and paying his rent.
Judge is now questioning Stone about the Instagram post. Judge is interested in the notion that he's not responsible for what gets posted on his Instagram. Asks if he knows how to Google.
"How hard was it to come up with a photograph that doesn't have crosshairs in the corner?"
"How hard was it to come up with a photograph that doesn't have crosshairs in the corner?"
Stone tells Judge Berman Jackson it was improper for him to criticize the judge at all. Again calls it an "egregious, stupid mistake."
"I have no rationalization or excuse," says Stone, again calling it an error. Special Counsel gets to take a shot at Stone next.
This is not going well for Stone, who can't say who sent him the image, or whether it was sent via text or email. Says he has five or six volunteers.
JUDGE: "You saw it, and you said, 'Okay, I'm going to post this'?"
STONE: I'm sorry, it was a mistake, etc.
STONE: I'm sorry, it was a mistake, etc.
"The passive voice is not helpful," Judge Berman Jackson tells Stone as he answers questions about his volunteers and his social media operation.
STONE: "I do not exclusively use my own phone, that's what I'm saying." Suggests someone else may have used his phone to find images of Judge Berman Jackson. Said none of his volunteers would own up to selecting the images Stone chose from.
Our story so far. More to come: huffpost.com/entry/roger-st…
STONE: "My house is like a headquarters, I have many volunteers."
JUDGE: I thought you said five?
STONE: Five is a lot.
JUDGE: I thought you said five?
STONE: Five is a lot.
Stone has named four of his volunteers, after testifying he has five or six. Stone says he can't recall all the names of the volunteers working for him a few days ago. One or two Stone volunteers must be feeling pretty left our right now.
Stone attorney says his client is a person who is "used to talking," but has learned his lesson. Lawyer says Stone wants a second chance. Again says Stone apologizes.
Lawyer: "It's not even close, it's indefensible."
Judge: "I agree with you there."
Lawyer: "It's not even close, it's indefensible."
Judge: "I agree with you there."
Judge Berman Jackson says Stone has "insisted" that his name has been in the media every day since Stone's arrest.
"After he apologized, he continued talking every single day."
"After he apologized, he continued talking every single day."
"I'm going to take a break to try and absorb this, but I'm going to come back and rule," says judge. Expects she'll be back in 15 minutes.
We're past the 15 minute mark with no sign of the judge. Stone is sitting at the defense table, looking around the courthouse, playing with his glasses and talking with his attorneys. Took a deep breath or two.
The judge is back.
Judge Amy Berman Jackson says she's not convinced that Stone is all talk. Says the post created a very real risk. "These were deliberate choices." huffpost.com/entry/roger-st…
Judge says Stone has "decided to pursue a strategy of attacking others." Says Stone couldn’t keep story straight on the stand. Says Instagram post had a “more sinister message.” Roger Stone, fully understands the power of words and symbols, she says.
JUDGE to STONE: "Thank you, but the apology rings quite hollow." huffpost.com/entry/roger-st…
Judge says Stone’s release under current conditions would pose a risk to the public. huffpost.com/entry/roger-st…
JUDGE: “No, Mr. Stone, I’m not giving you another chance.” Modifying conditions, says Stone cannot speak publicly about the case. huffpost.com/entry/roger-st…
ROGER DE-STONED send tweet huffpost.com/entry/roger-st…
“You closed your eyes and picked?” — Judge Berman Jackson grilling Roger Stone on how a photo of her with what looked like crosshairs ended up on his IG
