Judge Preska: Good morning! Sorry to start late, I had a sentencing. I suggest we do the protective order things at the end, and we'll seal it. Have you spoken about the impeachment issue?
Counsel: We were unable to reach agreement.
Counsel: Impeachment is not limited to initial disclosures but applies equally to pre-trial disclosures. By and large, impeachment material was produced.
Howard Cooper: I had laptop problems... This is a first for me, to have a line in a confidential letter cited
After a long silence:
Judge Preska: Sorry to delay you again, I had to get a report on [voluntarily redacted]. I say the tax returns have to be produced. If they are used at trial, you must confer.
Counsel: You ordered the returns produced to show loss of income
Dershowitz' lawyer: Mr. Dershowitz has offered to waive the loss of income claim. So how is there a compelling need for these return? Ms. Giuffre was allowed to amend her complaint to avoid discovery.
Charles Cooper: Ms. Moss is on the way to Perth for Ms. Giuffre's deposition.
Judge Preska: I stick to my ruling that the tax returns be produced. The rest of this proceeding will be closed and sealed. #CourtroomConfidential story soon on patreon.com/MatthewRussell…
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OK - now in #RKelly "associate" Donnell Russell's trial for allegedly calling in gun threat to Neuehouse screening of Surviving R. Kelly, closing arguments. Inner City Press will live tweet them, thread below
Jury entering!
Judge Gardephe: Now the closing argument of the govdernment.
Assistant US Attorney Davis: It is time to hold the defendant accountable for what he did. Not in dispute is that the defendant wanted to stop the screening that night
[US plays audio of Don Russell's "public interview" admitting he was on the phone all day with Neuehouse].
AUSA Davis: It is only not in dispute that the defendant was in contact all day with Kash Jones. And his home address in Chicago, not in dispute.
OK- now in multi-defendant drug case US v Haxhaj, et al, gallery half full, lady with United Nations bag. Inner City Press is covering the case innercitypress.com/sdny81afaillah… and will live tweet, threadette below
Judge criticizes Murray Richman's associate for Richman's non presence. One defense lawyer is in the gallery with a wireless mic
One defendant says he doesn't have a copy of the superseding indictment. Now copies are passed to the defendants shackled in jury box; Marshals says they can take the copies with them back to jail
OK - trial of #RKelly "associate" Don Russell coming to close, US says it will rest its case by lunch, then it's up to the defense. Inner City Press is covering the trial (& comparing R. Kelly & Epstein patreon.com/posts/69379249 and will live tweet, thread below
US' next witness is a former Neuehouse employee.
AUSA Pomerantz: What did you do there?
Witness: Payroll and staffing. I managed 15 people.
AUSA: Did you evacuate an event?
Witness: Yes, Surviving R. Kelly screening.
AUSA: What did you observe from Adrian [Krasniqi]'s demeanor after he got the call about the gun?
Witness: It was chaos. I was heading downstairs. We had two security guards. I first told the crowd it was a fire alarm, so people wouldn't panic
OK - Trial of #RKelly "associate" Donnell Russell set to kick off with oral arguments, after 2-day jury selection. Yesterday Judge Gardephe kept out of evidence a text about "call me Daddy." Inner City Press is covering the case(s) & will live tweet, thread below
All rise!
Judge Gardephe: I understand the lawyers have an issue?
Assistant US Attorney: Yes, we have agreed on redactions.
Judge Gardephe: Do I understand we will hear testimony today from the person who received the call?
AUSA: Yes.
Opening arguments.
Assistant US Attorney: The defendant called and said someone had a gun and would shoot up the theater. He wanted to shut down the show. You see, that show was a documentary about the defendant's boss, recording artist #RKelly.
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
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 (to prospective jurors) Welcome to the Southern District of New York. You will be asked to fill out a questionnaire, if you are aware of #RKelly, and the documentary #SurvivingRKelly. Don't write on the back of any page. [This could take a while]
[We said it could take a while, and it will - prospective jurors have filled out the questionnaire and will return tomorrow. New thread then. For now, parties have agreed to tell jury that on 12/4/18, NeueHouse held a screening of #SurvivingRKelly, set to air 1/19