Thread by @innercitypress

OK - in trial against #RKelly "associate" Donnell Russell for making gun threat to try to stop @LifetimeTV media screening of #SurvivingRKelly, jury selection continues, Day 2. Inner City Press is covering the trial and issue(s), and will live tweet, thread below

https://twitter.com/innercitypress/status/1549143965710139392

Judge Gardephe: The defendant Donnell Russell is charged with making an interstate threat. According to the government, Mr. Russell was the manager for #RKelly and conspired or agreed to convey threats to those attending to the Dec 4, 2018 screening

Judge Gardephe: Mr. Russell has pleaded not guilty, that's why we're having a trial. He's presumed innocent. The US must prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt. This will be a short trial, once we get started. A week or less. We'll begin with follow up questions

Judge Gardephe: I'll call you up to the bench, based on your answers to the questionnaire... The first to come up it Juror Number 2 [same number as yesterday, we are voluntarily not publishing the name], please come up.

[Yesterday, of Jury Number 2, Judge Gardephe said Jury 2 says his friends have talked about Surviving R.Kelly, but he can be fair. I'd say he should continue into voir dire. Now there is questioning - but it cannot be heard. This threat may go dormant for a while

While this sidebar questioning for jurors takes place, one note for those replying that Don Russell is/was not R.Kelly's manager - this reports what takes place in / is said in the courtroom. Judge quoted DOJ; complaint says "Russell, then-manager for #RKelly."

Maybe Don Russell's lawyer Michael Freedman will say, He wasn't the manager. Unclear for now if they'll finish picking the jury and get to opening arguments today. Watch this feed.

OK - now Judge Gardephe is asking questions to the group of prospective jurors (venire) as a group.
Judge Gardephe: Are any of you lawyers or studying law?
One juror says yes, but he can be fair.
Another is majoring in criminal justice at Berkeley, could be fair

A 3d juror says that 50 years ago he studied law for one year.
Judge Gardephe: I guess it didn't go well (laughs). Can be fair.
A 4th went to Brooklyn Law School. Can be fair.
Judge Gardephe: What type of clients do you have, in communications?
A: High profile.

A 5th juror is an NYPD police officer for 4 and 1/2 years.
Judge Gardephe: What if NYPD testifies - would you evaluate them like anyone else?
A: Yes. But I don't think I would be a great choice. As a police officer.
Judge Gardephe: Search your conscience.

After a long sidebar discussion press couldn't hear, the NYPD officer is excused. Will not be a juror.
Now another prospective juror says he's a civilian employee of the Yonkers PD. Says he can be impartial.
Another says her grandfather was a corporate lawyer.

Yet another says his father was a lawyer in general practice. Another describes himself as "corporate litigator" for financial institutions, some under criminal investigation.
A female juror says "My husband is a lawyer, unfortunately." Other jurors laugh.

Judge Gardephe has given jurors a lunch break. Once they leave, he tells the lawyers there will be no testimony today, and probably not the open arguments either, unfortunately. If it starts today, we're be here. Tomorrow too (with a new thread). Watch this feed

Judge Gardephe questioning continues: I expect the government will offer evidence obtained from social media platforms. Does anyone feel strongly about that?
[No prospective juror says yes.]

Judge Gardephe: Has anyone formed an opinion that these charged crimes should not, in fact, be prosecuted?
[No answers]
That completes the general questioning. Now, a few questions for each - not to pry, but to help the lawyers pick a jury

Judge Gardephe: I'll ask your county of residence, education, your employment and that of your immediate family, prior jury service, and about your reading and viewing habits, and hobbies.
Juror 1 works for state corrections. Never served on a jury.

Juror 2 lives in The Bronx, he's 28. Likes hanging with his friends.
Next juror lives in Manhattan, he's retired.
Next lives in The Bronx. Never on a jury.
Next lives in Manhattan, technical degree. Works for an insurance company. Likes to read romance novels

Next juror lives in Manhattan, has a doctorate in art history. Reads the New York Times and art magazines. Like PBS, sailing, "art, obviously."
Next juror also lives in Manhattan. She's 28. BA in finance, works at Morgan Stanley. Before that was at Goldman Sachs

Next juror lives in Manhattan. English literature. Works at Simon and Schuster. Was previously on a criminal jury, as an alternate.
Next juror lives in Manhattan for 24 years. He's 57. He has a J.D. (juris doctor). Works in a law firm on construction litigation

Next juror lives in The Bronx. She's studying criminal justice.
Next juror lives in Manhattan, for 44 years. He's 66. BA in music. Teaches voice in a musical theater program. Reads the New York Times. Likes "Breaking Bad." Rides his bike and does puzzles.

Next juror lives in Westchester, he's 63 with a B.S. His wife's a dentist, son works at the United Way. Likes mystery books and old movies.
Next juror in Manhattan, for 19 years. He's 47. He has a Ph.D. Professor at Brooklyn College, organic chemistry.

Next juror lives in Manhattan for 20 years. He's 72. Bachelor's degree. Semi-retired. Was in import / export. He likes Netflix, likes Law & Order.
Judge Gardephe: It's just like this, isn't it? (Laughs).

Next juror has roommates. One works in the Mayor's Office. Likes Netflix, and Law & Order - specifies, SVU.
Next juror lives in Manhattan for 34 years. She's 57. She studied financial accounting. She's an equity research analyst at Goldman Sachs.

A juror, when asked "What do you like to do," says "Sleep." Judge Gardephe laughs and says, The importance of sleep cannot be overestimated.
Next juror does PR for people in litigation. Uses Twitter, like sports and the entertainment industry. On TV, The West Wing

Next juror lives in The Bronx. Is an NYPD police officer.
Next juror also lives in the Bronx, for 21 years. He's 48. His wife is a nurse's aide. Like the Mail Online, and the TV show 48 Hours. Likes hanging about with his kids.

A juror says she likes the Yankees. Judge Gardephe says Well the Yankees are going well, we can all be grateful for that.
Next juror is an accountant. His wife works at a pharmaceutical company.
Next juror lives in Westchester, works for an investment firm.

Next juror is a law professor, teaches professional responsibility. Reads the New York Times, like Criminal Minds - but does NOT like "Bones." Likes to drink wine.
Judge Gardephe: I'll see the lawyers at sidebar.

Judge Gardephe tells the jurors to step out for 15 minutes then return, for the final stage. We'll be here.

OK - there is now a jury of 12, with 2 alternates. The others leave.
Judge Gardephe: This is my courtroom deputy, he will show you to the jury room. You are the triers of fact. Evidence consists only of the testimony of witnesses, document and stipulations entered

Now with jurors gone for the day, Don Russell's lawyer Freedman wants some redactions.
Assistant US Attorney: There is no basis to redact it just because it says, Call me Daddy.