Manafort Lawyer's Sidewalk Speech Draws Trial Judge's Rebuke
- Kevin Downing called tax, money-laundering case ridiculous
- Court sets Nov. 6 hearing to consider change in bail terms
This article is for subscribers only.
The judge overseeing Paul Manafort’s tax and money-laundering case in Washington had a stern warning for his lawyer: Stop with the sidewalk speeches.
“This is a criminal trial and not a public-relations campaign,” U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson said at a hearing Thursday. She admonished lawyers to “do their talking in the courtroom, and the pleadings, and not on the courthouse steps.” Jackson said she might impose a gag order and told the lawyers to submit objections -- if any -- by Nov. 7.