Manafort question:

[MichMary]

Does the jury know their verdict could possibly lead to a sentence of literally centuries in prison?

I'm wondering if that could have something to do with their failure to come to a quickie verdict.

[Jersey Devil]

1. NO - The jury is not told of sentencing

The only time a jury is ever told what the sentence would be in a case is when they are asked to convict for capital murder and sentence a defendant to death.

[unblock]

2. my understanding is that juries are normally not told what the potential or minimum sentence is

except in cases where the death penalty may apply.

they may have independent knowledge, or may have a good guess.

then again, they may or may not have a feel for how potential ranges translate into actual sentences, whether they're likely to be served concurrently, etc.

in any event, juries may even be told specifically to ignore possible sentencing because their job is simply to determine guilty or not guilty.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

3. Normally juries are not told what the penalty might be because that could affect their decision.

In any event, the actual sentence wouldn't be known until the sentencing because there are sentencing guidelines that allow for a range of penalties. Also, it would depend on whether the sentences are made concurrent (served at the same time) or consecutive (tacked on one after another), and I'm not sure if consecutive sentences are even possible for these crimes under the federal sentencing guidelines. I'm sure they know Manafort will go to prison if he's convicted. On TV they just said Manafort could serve up to 14 years under the sentencing guidelines.

The reason it has taken several days (which isn't long at all for a case this complicated) is more likely because of the factual complexity and the number of documents the jury has had to review.

[Ponietz]

4. Juries are specifically instructed not to concern themselves with the consequences of their verdict

[Grammy23]

5. I think this is a pretty well educated jury.

One would have to conclude that they’d know (without anyone informing them of sentencing guidelines) that a conviction on multiple counts necessarily would involve considerable prison time. I am no legal scholar but I’ve watched enough Perry Mason to know Manafort faces a long, long time in the slammer. Unless his good friend, tRumpolini, decides to give him a pass. Then again....there is always next month’s trial in DC. Hope springs eternal that tRump would not dare pardon him on EVERYTHING, would he??

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

6. Since they weren't sequestered, I suppose some of them could

have found out via the internet what his sentence might be.