Thread by @kyledcheney

BREAKING: Top STONE prosecutor moves to withdraw from the case. Zelinsky was a top Mueller deputy.

Deleted this tweet because it appears Zelinsky's resignation was from his position as special assistant U.S. attorney in DC but he still retains his post in the U.S. attorney's office in Maryland.

JUST IN: A second STONE prosecutor withdraws from the case. This time, it's Jonathan Kravis.

KRAVIS is still listed as a prosecutor in the case of the Russians charged with mounting the massive 2016 interference campaign, which is going to trial this spring.

That will probably change soon.

A THIRD Stone prosecutor has now dropped out of the case: Adam Jed.

BREAKING: DOJ issues new sentencing recommendation for STONE.

"The defendant committed serious offenses and deserves a sentence of incarceration that is 'sufficient, but not greater than necessary'"

Doesn't offer a number but says earlier was too high.

politico.com/f/?id=00000170…

The new recommendation indicates the sentence could reasonably be "far less" than the original one supported by prosecutors.

DOJ arguing against itself here. It says the impact of Stone's obstruction on the government's trial is unclear. politico.com/f/?id=00000170…

The steep sentence recommendation was largely based on an allegation that Stone threatened to harm Randy Credico if he testified truthfully.

Now DOJ says that the court should consider Credico's claim that he didn't really feel threatened.

politico.com/f/?id=00000170…

Lastly, DOJ says the court should consider Stone's "advanced age, health" and other personal characteristics, inlcuding lack of a criminal history. Stone is 67.

FOURTH Stone prosecutor withdraws from the case: Michael Marando.