Judge to hold conference 2 days before sentencing scheduled for this Thusday

[Gothmog]

Link to tweet

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. I'll bet she wants to know exactly what the hell went down

that made DoJ change its recommendation (and cause 3 prosecutors to withdraw and one to quit altogether).

[Gothmog]

2. That is my best guess also

[onenote]

14. I doubt it. More likely relates to new motion for new trial filed by Stone's lawyers.

That motion has to be dealt with before sentencing.

[bluestarone]

15. If she discovers problems could she

Call Barr in for a meeting?

[vlyons]

3. I'll bet she going to quiz them about Barr's interference

and the abrupt turn-around for sentencing recommendation. Maybe ask to justify the switch.

[MFGsunny]

4. ON THE RECORD key value

Not only choosing on the record, but she won't have to rely on transcripts to communicate that record to the public (since transcripts usually take way more time than 2 days b4 scheduled hearing on Feb 20th).

Should be an historic day in juris prudence this coming Feb. 20!

[bluestarone]

5. Just curious is there anyway that she could stop them from resigning

UNTIL Stones case is OVER! (completely)

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

7. No. Separate branch of government altogether.

[Journeyman]

6. How bound is the judge to the prosecution's sentencing recommendations? . . .

Can she ignore this second recommendation and go with the first? Add more years to the sentence or conversely reduce it from the recommended time? Or does she have any latitude at all in such decisions?

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

8. The judge is not bound by the recommendations and can impose a different sentence.

As long as the judge's sentence is within the sentencing guidelines it is not likely to be overturned on appeal, and the original recommendation was within the guidelines. So if she wanted to she could ignore the Barr/Trump ordered recommendation and go with the first one. His Lardship is probably going to pardon Stone anyhow.

[Journeyman]

10. I thought that would be the case . . .

I'm hoping the judge keeps to the original recommendation. Force Trump to step up. That'd keep the story in the news. May not have much of an impact on voting but if it swayed a small percent it'd be worth it. Hell, it'd be worth it just to have another judge go against him.

[monmouth4]

9. I think she's going to go for 8 years. We'll see..n/t

[Gothmog]

11. The judge may want to know what happened

Link to tweet

[lame54]

12. Not sure what this means

[onenote]

13. Most likely: this relates to the new motion for a new trial filed by Stone's lawyers

alleging bias on the part of the jury forewoman. That motion will have to be disposed of before sentencing.

I will be surprised if it is about the change in the sentencing recommendation.