Good morning from the E. Barrett Prettyman federal courthouse in downtown DC. Hope you all had a good Memorial Day weekend. Reporters are reconvening to watch for a verdict in the Sussmann-Durham trial after closing arguments on Friday. /1
nytimes.com/2022/05/27/us/…
nytimes.com/2022/05/27/us/…
I had thought judge might convene court at 9 a.m. to check in on how the first few hours of deliberations went on Friday afternoon, but the courtroom is empty. Not clear when we'll learn the status of anything but I'll update when something is happening. May be a boring day. /2
A flurry as court convened and lawyers start talking to judge, but no audio in media room so swarm of reporters dash up to the courtroom to catch tail end. The jury had asked to see exhibits 406 and 207, I think. Court adjourns again./3
In media room, we think GX 207 is the white paper Fusion GPS prepared about Alfa Bank's links to the Kremlin. We are not able to locate 406 so maybe misheard the number. /4
Correction, the jury asked for GX 306, which doesn't seem to be in evidence so possibly garbled on their end, and for GX 403/DX 436, which is the taxi cab receipt. (more)/4
Also told the jury also asked whether they had to have consensus on each element or just the overall result; the judge said it had to be consensus of each element to find the defendant guilty, but just consensus on overall result to acquit. /5
Judge Cooper came back into his courtroom to take a guilty plea via zoom against a Jan.6 Capitol rioter. Appears to be Richard Michetti. Media room was confused at firest r why this zoom call was being piped in. His defense atty appears to be on a boat. /6 justice.gov/usao-dc/defend…
On the monitors, we can see that prosecutors and the defense team+Sussmann have returned to the courtroom. Hopefully the audio problem is fixed and we will be able to clearly hear whatever is about to be discussed without having to sprint upstairs again./8
The jury has reached a verdict./9
The judge says the note came at 11:05 a.m. They were supposed to deliberate until 5 p.m. on Friday. So they had about four hours on Friday, and about two this morning - six hours in all.
Jury is filtering in./10
Jury is filtering in./10
Michael Sussmann is acquitted. /11
Sussmann sits back down. His face is impassive. Judge thanks jury and dismisses them. /12
Judge excuses Sussmann from all pretrial conditions and adjourns the court. /13
Sussmann will make a statement in person soon, we are told.
Team Durham will issue a statement but not give a presser, I was told earlier by DOJ. /14
Team Durham will issue a statement but not give a presser, I was told earlier by DOJ. /14
John Durham:
“While we are disappointed in the outcome, we respect the jury’s decision and thank them for their service. I also want to recognize and thank the investigators and the prosecution team for their dedicated efforts in seeking truth and justice in this case.” /16
“While we are disappointed in the outcome, we respect the jury’s decision and thank them for their service. I also want to recognize and thank the investigators and the prosecution team for their dedicated efforts in seeking truth and justice in this case.” /16
Sussmann reads brief statement and does not take questions. Says he told the truth to FBI as 12 jurors recognized and despite being falsely accused is relieved justice prevailed. past year has been ordeal for family, looks forward to getting back to work. Thanks legal team./17 
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