Manafort judge under police protection

A JUDGE presiding over the fraud trial of Paul Manafort, Donald Trump’s former campaign chairman, last night disclosed he had received threats and was under police protection.

District Judge TS Ellis III also told a court that he feared for the “peace and safety of the jurors”.

In the US, jury lists are presumed to be public unless a judge gives a reason for keeping them secret. The judge said he would not be revealing the jurors’ names because of his safety concerns.

Jurors have been deliberating for two days following a two-week trial in which Mr Manafort faces 18 charges of bank fraud and tax evasion.

Judge Ellis, sitting in Alexandria, Virginia, just outside Washington, said he himself was being guarded by a US marshal. He did not give specifics of the threats, but said he had been taken aback by the level of interest in the trial.

The judge said: “I’ve received criticism and threats. I imagine they [the jurors] would too. I had no idea this case would excite these emotions. I don’t feel right if I release their names.”

It came as Mr Trump called Mr Manafort a “very good person”.

The president said: “I think the whole Manafort trial is very sad. When you look at what’s going on, I think it’s a very sad day for our country.

“He worked for me for a very short period of time. But you know what, he happens to be a very good person.”

‘I’ve received criticism and threats... I had no idea this case would excite these emotions’