By Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Order Podcast Song II
SDNY COURTHOUSE, Oct 18 - In the Lev Parnas and Andrey Kukushkin jury trial, the first witnesses testified on the afternoon of October 13. Inner City Press live tweeted it here and here. Vlog here.
On the morning of October 15, before the jury came in, the defense successfully argued to have the jury instructed that the Times Square "street fight / racist" video shown the day before is not relevant and is excluded. Inner City Press live tweeted it here, podcast here.
After that, Adam Laxalt and exhibits fights, which Inner City Press live tweeted here and below. New song here.
On October 18 to 1 pm, there was more cross examiation of Van Rensburg, and the beginning on Caroline Booth. Inner City Press live tweeted here (podcast here)
US v. Parnas & Kukushkin Week 2 opens with argument about admissibility of exhibits,
Inner City Press will #CourtHouseCast live
Defense lawyer: We are showing what is actually going on. Assistant US Attorney: They are attempting to show other good act, to say, Kukushkin was going this other legitimate thing over there. We don't think it's admissible.
Defense: Last night we got more 3500 material. It suggests the government is going to try to argue that because $1.4 million came out, and $1 M of it came from the loan [from Muraviev] - it would be misleading. We have a two inch thick 3500 material. We need time AUSA
Hagen "Sidearm" Scotten: We do hope to get to Ms. Espinosa today, as our third witness. The premise of Ms. Friedman's argument is erroneous. Ms. Espinosa will only testifying about bank records. She took out her calculator and find out the $1 M of Muraviev
Defense: Ms. Espinosa seems to believe this money came from Strauss coffee. Then the credit card bill is paid on December 24, 2018. Only yesterday we learned that Ms. Espinosa changed her view. It's not a new calculation - she's going to say, I was wrong until now
AUSA: We've been telling them about Ms. Espinosa's thinking by showing them her notes. Defense: There's a question how this second round of money was used. If the evidence comes in, it will spill over. I understand Rule 29. This was triggered by last night's 3500
Judge Oetken: You've all made some interesting points which I will consider. But let's bring the jury in. [Jury enters, witness Deanna Van Rensburg re-takes the stand]
Bondy: Let me read this: Upon the application of Damian Williams, US Attorney...
Bondy (reading) "it is ordered Van Rensburg testify but no testimony so compelled may be used against Van Rensburg in any criminal case" - can you it pick it up from there?
Van Rensburg: Except in case of perjury. Bondy: You can be prosecuted for perjury? A: Yes.
Bondy: Mr. Parnas told you he was not an email guy? Van Rensburg: I don't remember. Bondy: See DV5, for identification purposes only.
Judge Oetken: Witness only. Bondy: Did they come a time you were put on Igor Fruman's AmEx Black card? A: As an admin.
Bondy: Did they come a time that you became aware that Mr. Parnas had dinner with President Trump and Jack Nichlaus?
Van Rensburg: No. Bondy: But you know who Jack Nichlaus is, right? Van Rensburg: A golfer. [Echo of current stand off about Bronx golf course]
Bondy: Do you remember last week you said you sent emojis in response without reading the thing sent to you? ASUA: Objection -- Bondy: Sidebar? Let me proceed: You replied with a thumbs up & a 'ha ha ha I got you.' Van Rensburg: I meant his typo, that I understood
Bondy: Do you remember emailing about the Nord Stream 2 pipeline and NATO unity? Van Rensburg: I do not. Bondy: Read this and look up when you're done...
Bondy: You sent Mr. Parnas a tweet from Senator Cotton about Nord Stream 2? Van Rensburg: I don't recall. Bondy: But did you do it? AUSA: Objection. Judge Oetken: Sustained.
Now Bondy's cross-examination turned back to Big Andrey Muraviev. Judge Oetken calls a break before re-direct. Courtroom clock has been re-set at his request, he notes.
Next US witness: Caroline Booth who works for Liz Cheney as finance director. Went to SMU. Interned for Rep. Pete Sessions.
AUSA Flodr: What did you do as his communications director? Booth: I handled contacts with the Dallas press, and the national press.
AUSA Flodr: Just yes or no, did you have any idea where Mr. Parnas' money came from? Booth: No.
Now: Judge Oekten: Cross?
Bondy: When you came to work for Senator Sessions - Booth: Congressman. Sorry. Habit. Bondy: How many interns did he have? Booth: 20 or so.
Judge Oetken calls lunch break for jurors then asks lawyers about timing. AUSA chides Bondy for cross longer than predicted. Ross will happen, and Espinosa will start today, but not get to cross.
On October 11 Kukushkin asked to exclude a slew of Government Exhibits, full 8-page letter on Patreon here.
On October 5 Judge Oetken held the final pre-trial conference in advance of October 12 jury selection. Inner City Press live tweeted it here and below (podcast here)
Late on October 7 the US Attorney's Office has written to Judge Oetken seeking rulings in advance to admit exhibits including "The Inaugural Committee Articles, the FEC Complaint Article, the Time cover, and the Russian Root Emails." Full letter on Patreon here. And now, song here.
On September 10, Igor "The Glue" Fruman pleaded guilty. Inner City Press live tweeted it here (with vlog; podcast here)
The case is US v. Parnas, et al., 19-cr-00725 (Oetken).
***
Your support means a lot. As little as $5 a month helps keep us going and grants you access to exclusive bonus material on our Patreon page. Click here to become a patron.
