By Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Order Podcast Song II
SDNY COURTHOUSE, Dec 9 - In the Lev Parnas and Andrey Kukushkin jury trial, the first witnesses testified on the afternoon of October 13, 2021. Inner City Press live tweeted it here and here. Vlog here.
On October 22, after mere hours of deliberation, the jury found both men guilty on all counts. Inner City Press live tweeted it here and below.
On December 9 Parnas moved for acquittal and a new trial, arguing there was insufficient evidence of a conspiracy to make donations by a foreign national, etc. Inner City Press will report the result(s).
In December Kukushkin sought a seven week delay in sentencing and the prosecutors quickly opposed the request, citing the deterrent effect of timely punishment.
On December 21, this: "ORDER granting in part [281] LETTER MOTION to adjourn sentencing: DEFENDANT KUKUSHKIN'S MOTION TO ADJOURN SENTENCING IS GRANTED IN PART. SENTENCING IS HEREBY ADJOURNED TO MARCH 15, 2022, AT 11:00 A.M. DEFENDANT'S SENTENCING SUBMISSION IS DUE MARCH 1, 2022. THE GOVERNMENT'S SENTENCING SUBMISSION IS DUE MARCH 8, 2022. SO ORDERED. (Oetken, J.)"
Docketed on October 25 was co-defendant David Correia's renewed push for compassionate release. In a ten page handwritten letter Correia, referring to himself in the third person, cited remorse and medical conditions.
On October 27, it was denied: "Correia's motion for compassionate release pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3582(c)(1) is denied. The Government is directed to reach out to FCI Butner to inquire about whether Correia has seen a gastroenterologist and if not, what steps the BOP is taking to ensure adequate care for Correia. The Government is also directed to report back to the Court within two weeks. The Clerk of Court is directed to close the motion at Docket Number 213. The Clerk of Court is directed to mail a copy of this order to Correia at the address below. SO ORDERED. (Signed by Judge J. Paul Oetken on 10/27/2021)." Inner City Press is on the case.
From October 22: Now in US v. Parnas and Kukushkin the jury is coming back, at 2:57 pm. Judge Oetken: Good afternoon. For the record. I've marked Court Exhibit 5 as the verdict 5.
Judge Oekten: I received a note that Juror 11 is the fore person. Then a note at 2:40 pm that the jury has reached a verdict, signed by Juror 11. Bring out the jury.
Judge Oetken: Members of the jury, I've received your notes. Mr. Foreperson have you reached a unanimous verdict? Juror 11: We have, Your Honor. Judge Oetken: Let me review it. (Reads, silently).
Mr. Hampton will now take the verdict. Hampton: Count 1? Juror: Guilty (both) Clerk: Count Two? Juror 11: Guilty. Clerk: Counts 3 and 4? Juror 11: Guilty. Clerk: Count 5 false statements? Juror 11: Guilty. Clerk: Count 6? Juror 11: guilty
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) (vlog here)
During the afternoon of October 18, Bondy cross examined Rep Pete Sessions' (now Liz Cheney's) staffer Caroline Boothe, mortgage broker Ross and lawyer / notary Preminger. The question of Parnas testifying arose. Inner City Press live tweeted it here.
On the morning of October 19, an argument out of hearing of the jury about what Parnas could be cross examined about, if he testified. Inner City Press live tweeted it here (and podcast here)
On the afternoon of October 19, Ahearn of America First Action was put on the stand by the defense, with whether Parnas will follow him to the stand still left open. Inner City Press live tweeted here and below.
On October 20 - drum roll - the time for Parnas to decide to testify or not came. And... he did not. Inner City Press live tweeted it here: (and podcast here)
And on October 21, the summations or closing arguments; Inner City Press live tweeted here and here:
now closing arguments in US v. Parnas & Kukushkin Assistant US Attorney Hagen "Sidearm" Scotten: Here is what Ms. Van Rensburg did - exactly what Parnas told her to do. Here are the phone records. Special Agent Thomas found this form in Mr. Parnas' home, for joining Trump's campaign finance committee
AUSA Scotten: Joe Ahearn testified that Parnas knew the rule against foreign nationals contributing. As to Kukushkin, maybe he wasn't interested in the news, but he kept up with what was important to him: cannabis and illegal campaign contributions
AUSA Scotten: Here is Muraviev, mooning the Statue of Liberty. This is who Kukushkin was working with. Kukushkin must have known he was a bad man.
AUSA Scotten concludes with, You'll return the only verdicts supported by the evidence, guilty.
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 Roots 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.
