Paul Manafort was there in a Virginia federal courtroom Friday to hear details on his sentencing, and his appearance seemed markedly different than the last time he was seen in public. NBC News notes… US News Summaries.
(Newser)
–
Paul Manafort was there in a Virginia federal courtroom Friday to hear details on his sentencing, and his appearance seemed markedly different than the last time he was seen in public. NBC News notes the 69-year-old looked “visibly grayer,” and that he showed up, in a wheelchair, wearing a green prison jumpsuit—not his usual tailored suit—and missing his right shoe. “There are significant issues with Mr. Manafort’s health concerning confinement,” his lawyer, Kevin Downing, told the judge, asking that the sentencing be sped up so Manafort, if kept in prison, could be moved to a facility better able to manage his maladies. A person said to be “familiar with Manafort’s condition” tells CNN his issue is serious and is inflammation-based, tied to what he’s been eating.
Judge TS Ellis had earlier struck down the Manafort legal team’s request that their client be permitted to wear a regular suit to Friday’s hearing, with Ellis noting “defendants who are in custody post-conviction are, as a matter of course, not entitled to appear for sentencing or any other hearing in street clothing,” per NBC. Ellis gave Manafort a sentencing date of Feb. 8, where he’ll hear his fate on eight counts of tax evasion and bank fraud. The judge also dismissed 10 additional charges on which the jury deadlocked during the trial, though CNN notes if Manafort doesn’t keep cooperating with Robert Mueller’s investigation, those charges could be reinstated. Earlier this week, CNN reported Manafort and his attorneys visited Robert Mueller’s DC office at least nine times over the past month, where hunkered down for about six hours each time. ( Manafort’s deal to avoid a second trial.)
