Juror talked About DEFENSE During trial

WASHINGTON — A juror in Paul Manafort’s case reported during the trial that another juror made comments about the weakness of the former Trump campaign chairman’s defense, prompting defense lawyers to make an unsuccessful request for a mistrial, according to transcripts unsealed Wednesday.

The transcripts reveal the reasons for a lengthy secret hearing held during the middle of Manafort’s trial, which had been sealed until after the conclusion of the longtime political consultant’s trial this week. Manafort was convicted Tuesday on eight criminal counts. Jurors deadlocked on 10 other charges.

The disclosure by one juror of another juror’s comments on the ninth day of Manafort’s trial prompted U.S. District Judge T.S. Ellis III to question jurors about whether the comment would affect their ability to make a fair and impartial verdict. Juror names are redacted in the transcripts, and Ellis has placed them under seal.

Manafort’s defense team moved for a mistrial during sealed proceedings, citing juror comments. But Ellis denied the motion, saying that after considering the circumstances carefully, a mistrial wasn’t warranted.

Defense lawyers did not press the issue in public, and after the jury’s verdict, Manafort attorney Kevin Downing took care to praise Ellis for a fair trial and the jury “for their very long and hard-fought deliberations.”

According to the transcript, the juror who reported the comment said she heard another juror say she didn’t believe Manafort had much of a case to present, a comment she felt “crossed the line.” The juror reported hearing other jurors talk about the case despite the judge’s admonishments not to do so. Jurors are not supposed to discuss the case until they’ve heard all the evidence and begin deliberations.