By Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Order Podcast Song
SDNY COURTHOUSE, Oct 15 - 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.
Now 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 and below, podcast here
it's US v. Parnas & Kukushkin, Day 3 - more focus on Times Square "race" video. US admits not relevant, because forwarded to 40 people. Bondy wants it stricken; US opposes.
Assistant US Attorney agrees that the video - described as an African American couple attaching an African American in Times Square - should not go in to the jury deliberations. But they don't want it highlighted by being stricken - it would imply Bondy was right
Defense's Friedman: Telling the jury that it was sent by Mr. Kukushkin to many people is prejudicial, many see it in bad taste.
AUSA: In their opening they say Kukushkin reached out to Fruman for business and what a mistake it was, I thought it was well delivered
AUSA: But sending this video may show it's not a normal business relationship between two men from Odessa.
Judge Oetken: I also wondered what this exhibit went to. It's either in or out. I need to tell them, it's not in, under 403. I'm going to tell them that.
AUSA: You should tell them at the end. The video is not in the jury's mind right now.
Defense wants the limiting experience now, citing 3rd Circuit pattern jury instruction on stricken exhibits. "Do not consider this exhibit in reaching your decision." 3d Cir case
Judge Oetken bring jury in and tells that that Exhibit 43-a-19 is no longer in evidence, the "street fight" in Times Square, is no longer in.
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).
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