Jury begins deliberations in Steve Bannon contempt trial

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: Washington Post

A jury in D.C. federal court has begun deliberating the contempt of Congress charges against former Trump adviser Stephen K. Bannon, who is accused of ignoring a subpoena from the House select committee investigating the Jan. 6. 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.

“This case is not complicated, but it is important,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Molly Gaston told jurors in closing arguments Friday. “It is important because our government only works if people show up. It only works if people play by the rules.”

Bannon’s defense lawyer countered that the subpoena was illegitimate and politically motivated, and that the deadlines for Bannon to comply were merely “placeholders” for further negotiation. Bannon “didn’t intentionally refuse to comply with a subpoena. Absolutely not. He didn’t intentionally refuse to comply with anything,” defense lawyer M. Evan Corcoran said.

Prosecutors said Bannon just refused to speak to the committee, akin to a person who received a parking ticket deciding not to pay or fight it, but just ignore it. “He did not want to answer its questions,” Gaston said. "And when it really comes down to it, he did not want to recognize Congress’s authority or play by the government’s rules.”

Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2022/07/22/bannon-january-6-trial-friday/

[calguy]

1. Should take about an hour to convict.

[Chainfire]

13. And, if it takes over two hours, expect a hung jury.

[SheltieLover]

2. I hope judge gived max penalties TODAY

Judge has had plenty of time go consider it.

Delouse him & throw him in gen population.

[Ocelot II]

4. It doesn't work that way.

The contempt of Congress statute carries a range of penalties, so the judge is likely to request a presentence investigation and hearing, and he will apply the federal sentencing guidelines. Usually a sentencing hearing takes place some weeks following a verdict, and if convicted Bannon is certain to appeal during that time.

[SheltieLover]

7. Ty for explaining.

Not what I wanted to hear, but I appreciate you taking the time to explain.

[grumpyduck]

10. I understand, but it all just goes to "show"

that refusing a subpoena doesn't mean all that much, therefore subpoenas don't mean all that much. Kinda makes the whole thing look like a joke to magat assholes.

As far as appealing, I would expect anyone found guilty of anything to appeal. It's part of the process.

[Ocelot II]

12. The law is supposed to apply equally to everyone, so if the law says

he's entitled to a presentence investigation and a sentencing hearing, then that's what will happen, and it's what should happen.

[BumRushDaShow]

5. If he gets convicted, they usually schedule a separate date for sentencing

and I expect he would appeal in any case.

[SheltieLover]

8. Oh I'm sure he will appeal.

Disgusting pos.

[Harker]

14. He'll be appealing and unappealing simultaneously. n/t

[SheltieLover]

15. True

[Harker]

16. ...

[grumpyduck]

3. "...he did not want to recognize Congress's authority or play by the government's rules."

Not being a lawyer, I'd say that pretty much covers it.

[iluvtennis]

6. +++ agree. n/t

[gab13by13]

9. If the jury is out for an extended period,

that means there is a Magat mole.

[Ocelot II]

11. Or it just means that the jury is conscientiously considering all the evidence.

But there isn't much evidence beyond what the prosecution presented; it's Friday and they'd probably rather be done with it before the weekend.

[Raftergirl]

17. I was on a jury that on our initial vote

we all agreed defendant was guilty. This was before any deliberation. But, we didn’t notify the Judge we had reached a verdict for another hour at least. We decided to have lunch on the county, too.

After we gave our verdict and we were excused all the prosecutors and the police who testified told us how grateful they were for our verdict and that they weren’t allowed to bring in all the defendants previous bad deeds and he was a really bad guy.

[Aviation Pro]

18. It's been three hours

Yep, there's a fucking, lying MAGAT poisoning the jury.

[BumRushDaShow]

21. There is one possibility

and that is since there were 2 charges - I think one to "appear" and the other "to produce documents", it's obvious that he produced no documents so that would be an easier one to solve.

But the "appear" one might be muddied because he suddenly offered to "show up" just days before the trial, and that could be a bone of contention regarding whether that was sincere and "responsive" (we know it was not) or just a bullshit move (which it was but they might give him the benefit of the doubt).

[BumRushDaShow]

22. BOOM BOOM CONVICTED ON BOTH CHARGES

https://www.cnn.com/2022/07/22/politics/steve-bannon-contempt-of-congress-january-6-verdict/index.html

[Aviation Pro]

24. Glad to admit my wrongness and pessimism

Now go home and back your fucking toothbrush, convict.

[BumRushDaShow]

25. He needs more than that!

[Ocelot II]

23. Evidently not, since he was convicted on all counts.

The thing about juries is that if they're sent out for deliberations before lunch, they'll want their free lunch on the government. Another thing that takes time is the administrative stuff - selecting a foreperson and reviewing the instructions. Three hours isn't long at all.

[3Hotdogs]

19. Reminds me of a title of the Clint Eastwood movie..... what was it? ....................

Oh, yeah. "Hang 'em High."

[3Hotdogs]

20. At least the liar -- sorry, lawyer fees will be heavy.