Thread by @MMineiro_CNS

Good morning from Washington where at the U.S. District Court today we will hear for the first time from the judge on Roger Stone’s case since DOJ lowered its sentencing recommendation for Trump’s longtime ally. @CourthouseNews

Stone, convicted of witness tampering and lying to Congress, is scheduled to be sentenced Thursday but we’ll find out today from Judge Amy Berman Jackson if that is still the plan.

Here we go. Judge Jackson and counsel for the government and defense introducing themselves now. Roger Stone is in the room with his attorneys dialing into the courtroom.

Judge Jackson speaking out for the first time on Stone's case.

“This call is for scheduling purposes only. I do not plan to discuss the merits of the motion or the sentencing at this time.”

Government recommends that Stone's sentencing continue as planned on Thursday after Jackson explains that she is not aware of a law that requires her to deal with the defense request for new trial before the judgment.

Stone's attorney Robert Buschell tells Jackson that the request for new trial goes to the heart of the case, but she wants to know why they did not request a delay when they filed the motion.

BREAKING: Judge Jackson plans to sentence Roger Stone as planned Thursday.

“I think that delaying this sentence would not be a prudent thing to do under all the circumstances."

Roger Stone will be sentenced Thursday despite efforts to delay the proceedings with a request for new trial, the federal judge on his case has ordered. @CourthouseNews
courthousenews.com/judge-keeps-ro…