Thread by @awprokop

Stone hearing has started. ABJ asks defense what their position is on whether the media contact order should be modified.

Defense wants to put Stone on the witness stand to explain himself.

ABJ says, re: putting Stone on the stand, "as long as you understand he's gonna be subject to cross-examination."

Stone comes up. Will be under oath.

Rogow: Mr. Stone, did you abuse the judge’s trust in you when you posted the Instagram?

Stone: Yes I did.

Stone: I am heartfully sorry. I am kicking myself over my own stupidity. … I’m being treated for emotional stress. (Also says he has acute financial stress)

Stone says he didn't select the image, but also that he didn't review it, and that the posting is his responsibility.

"This was an egregious, stupid error for which I apologize again to the Court."

ABJ: Is anybody paying you to speak about this case?

Stone: No.

ABJ says, so if there was an order that you couldn’t speak about the case, that wouldn’t affect your ability to make a living.

ABJ: The notice of apology said the post was a random photo selected at the Internet posted at my direction. What do you mean be posted by my direction?

Stone: “I just said get a photo… I am responsible for posting, I just didn’t look at it, I didn’t review it properly.”

Back-and-forth between ABJ and Stone on whether the symbol is a crosshairs, a Celtic symbol, or an "occult" symbol (seriously).

Stone is now backtracking on his lawyers' statement that his Instagram post was "improper."

Says his lawyers wrote that, he just signed it.

ABJ trying to pin him down on what, exactly, he thinks was improper about it. Stone is just saying it was a mistake.

Prosecutors ask Stone who posted the image. He says, "I did."

ABJ angrily interrupts, saying, excuse me, didn't you say under oath 5 minutes ago you didn't review it?

Stone says that's not what he said. He said someone gave him the image, he didn't review it closely, posted

Stone is testifying he doesn’t even know who gave him the image of the judge’s face. Doesn’t remember if it was emailed, texted, or got on his phone somehow else.

ABJ: Why should I be assured this won’t happen again?

ROGOW (Stone’s lawyer): Sometimes a person gets a lesson. A lesson that is very hard.

Stone's lawyer says the post was indefensible. ABJ: “I agree with you there.”

Government is now arguing that Stone needs a stiffened gag order.

Kravis (DC US Attorney’s Office) says Stone has continued to attack the integrity of the proceeding, in a way that could taint the jury pool.

Says Stone's testimony today was "not credible." Suggests his apology not sincere.

ABJ: What will get him to stop talking other than a court order?

ROGOW: You, and me, telling him to stop talking—

ABJ: Well, I’m the court order.

Rogow suggesting a possible order for Stone that would say the gov’t should not be criticized by him and the court would not be criticized by him.

ABJ now taking a break, but will come back and rule in about 15 minutes.

From Drake Ventures LLC, the judge said Stone had reported

https://twitter.com/rachelweinerwp/status/1098669734227296257

(Drake Ventures is Stone's company, he's had it for a while.)

ABJ is back. Says Stone is specifically being charged with threatening witnesses. Within the past year.

Calls the evidence detailed in the indictment "quite compelling."

ABJ: I am not reassured by the defense suggestion that Mr. Stone is all talk and no action and this is just a big mistake.

What concerns me is that he chose to use his public platform… in a manner that may incite others

ABJ: "I do not find any of the evolving and contradictory explanations credible. Mr. Stone could not even keep his story straight on the stand"

ABJ also alluded to Hasson (not by name), saying "you don't even have to look at the papers beyond today" to know that inciting extremists to violent action is a possibility

ABJ says the post had a “sinister message.” “Roger Stone fully understands the power of words and the power of symbols. And there’s nothing ambiguous about crosshairs.”

ABJ says Stone’s apology “rings quite hollow.” That he continued to defend the post in media appearances. Says that suggests it was really just his lawyers who were appalled.

ABJ: “So, no, Mr. Stone. I’m not giving you another chance. I have serious doubts about whether you have learned any lesson at all.”

"From this moment on, the defendant may not speak publicly about the investigation or the case or any of the participants"

ABJ issuing a serious gag order. Stone cannot even communicate about the case indirectly, with statements.

Says he is free to keep fundraising for his legal defense fund, and saying he's innocent.

ABJ: Any violation of this order will be a basis for revoking your bond or detaining you pending trial... If you do not comply with today's order, I will find it necessary to "adjust your environment"