(08-14-2018 12:39 PM)UofMstateU Wrote:  If they didnt call any witnesses, then it sounds like they believe the case isnt proven and that they dont need to hold the jury up any longer trying to prove reasonable doubt.

They never (as far as I saw) directly linked Manafort to the crime of the loans. The accountant and Gates pretty much admitted they did everything, but that Manafort KNEW what they were doing. Yet they could provide no proof that Manafort actually did know what they were doing, other than saying it was in face to face communications. They could provide no written / email documentation to show Manafort was in on it.

Any jury can convict, but the evidence against Manafort on the actual crimes on this case were really weak-sauce, and came primarily from the testimony of a guy who actually committed the crimes, and had motive to commit them to hide his embezzlement actions.