Of course I’m paraphrasing a bit:
The federal judge presiding over Paul Manafort’s trial refused to give media outlets the names of jurors Friday, saying such a move would “create a risk of harm to them.”
U.S. District Judge T.S. Ellis of the Eastern District of Virginia said he himself has received threats during the trial, in which he has been criticized for a tough approach toward special counsel prosecutors.
“I’ve received criticism and threats. I’d imagine they would too,” Ellis said.
“I won’t tell you the threats I’ve received,” he added, “but I’ll tell you I have the Marshals’ protection.”
Ellis’ decision, rejecting a request Ballard Spahr lawyers filed on behalf of several media organizations, came during a brief hearing Friday afternoon in an Alexandria federal courtroom. Ellis remarked that he had “no idea” about the emotions the special counsel prosecution would incite entering the trial.
Ellis also expressed concern about a chilling effect, saying a “substantial number of people would be scared, afraid” if they knew their names would be made public as part of their jury duty.
The media outlets—including The New York Times, Washington Post and CNN—filed a motion to intervene in the case earlier Friday asking Ellis to also unseal portions of sidebar transcripts, along with other sealed records in the case. The judge expressed concern that releasing some of the records would interfere with an ongoing investigation.
The original motion to reveal their names was one of the most brazen attempts at open jury manipulation in history. “Your honor, my client would like the names and addresses of all the jurors, so Seven Finger Louie can get up close and personal to remind each of them, and their families, that Mr. Gotti is a peaceful, legitimate business men, as attested by the current unbroken conditions of their kneecaps.”
Some tweets on the subject:
CNN & media are trying to make names & addresses of jury members public in a heated federal political trial. I’m sure this is because they just love those people.
— Stephen Miller (@redsteeze) August 17, 2018
You don’t think a jury in the midst of deliberations, where a judge has required U.S. Marshalls to protect him from death threats, would be intimidated by having @CNN publish their names and addresses? That is EXACTLY what’s happening. Luckily I don’t give you much credit at all. https://t.co/l6nFRE9g1K
— James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) August 18, 2018
To be clear, if CNN gets their names and addresses, I'll never serve on another jury. CNN Sued The Government For Names, Addresses Of Manafort Jurors https://t.co/2hzvgGwmJW
— Scott Adams (@ScottAdamsSays) August 17, 2018
If you’re a juror in the Manafort trial, you’d best delete all your social media accounts NOW, before the carrion-eaters at @CNN can find them.
— Jubal E. Harshaw (@alimhaider) August 17, 2018
I see that CNN is preparing to shame the jurors if they submit any unapproved rulings https://t.co/UUu0mn2gDU
— Jack Posobiec 🇺🇸 (@JackPosobiec) August 17, 2018
Baller move from judge: “Here’s what I’m releasing to the public: an address list…of CNN executives and Time-Warner board members.”
— BattleSwarm (@BattleSwarmBlog) August 18, 2018