A judge dismissed New York’s mortgage-fraud case against former Trump campaign chief Paul Manafort, undermining the state’s effort to ensure that the jailed political adviser doesn’t go free if he’s eventually pardoned for his federal crimes.
Bloomberg reports that State Supreme Court Justice Maxwell Wiley on Wednesday granted Manafort’s request to dismiss the charges because the state indictment overlaps with cases previously brought by Special Counsel Robert Mueller.
Manafort lawyers argued that New York’s broad double-jeopardy law protects defendants from multiple prosecutions for the same conduct, even if they were charged in other jurisdictions or by different government authorities. They’ve suggested the New York case was politically motivated.
“This indictment should never have been brought, and today’s decision is a stark reminder that the law and justice should always prevail over politically motivated actions.”
But the resistance refuses to give up the fight…
“We will appeal today’s decision and will continue working to ensure that Mr. Manafort is held accountable for the criminal conduct against the people of New York,” Danny Frost, a spokesman for Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr., said in a statement.
Jonathan Turley viewed this as a dangerous trend among New York Democratic politicians pledging to charge former Trump campaign chair Paul Manafort under state law to negate any benefit from a federal pardon by President Donald Trump.
Democrats rallied supporters to the dubious cause of watering down the state protections against double jeopardy. It was the ultimate example of the mania surrounding Trump where citizens would take an axe to their own constitutional protections to get at Trump and his associates.
The highly dubious effort was led by New York state attorney general Letitia James and, thankfully, it has failed. The New York courts are not nearly as dismissive of individual rights.
The state charges were thrown out today on the basis of double jeopardy. The question is now whether this will be a prelude to a presidential pardon.
Manafort is serving until Christmas day 2024. However, his recent medical emergency (combined with this ruling) could lay the foundation for a pardon or commutation to secure his early release.
Manafort, 70, faced state charges of residential mortgage fraud, conspiracy and falsifying business records under state law — charges that overlapped with his federal prosecution.
I have been highly critical of Manafort and I still have little sympathy for him. I do not view him as a worthy subject of a pardon.
However, I am relieved that the courts showed more judgment and respect for individual rights than James and others who wanted to lower protections to score political points in prosecuting a Trump associate.
via zerohedge
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The demonrats are going to regret their actions, and sneakiness in their desperation to oust Trump. All these ‘laws’ they are trying to “create” to allow them ‘access’, or a ‘work-around’ to take down those like Manafort, will one day come back to bite their assets.
There are things about Manafort I don’t like, and he should face those accusations. But, I do hope Trump will pardon all those who were unfairly treated by the demonrat quest to oust him. Especially those who were only convicted of “process crimes” by the FBI.
Seems like the only crime worthy of punishment if you are a Democrat is either being President Trump or associating with President Trump. Breaking actual laws on the books don’t matter anymore.
The animal that murdered Kate Steinle is walking the streets as a free man - after illegally entering the country 5 times, stealing a handgun and shooting an innocent woman and leaving her to die in the arms of her father. However, to a Democrat, beating Hillary Clinton in a fight that was rigged in her favor is the worst crime imaginable.
You don’t have to be a blind, partisan idiot to be a Democrat, but it sure seems to help these days.
Hopefully we get a little fun out of it. As demonrat party rapidly decays, Arkancide may play a part. Get the popcorn out 4 that. Demonrat party will lose 2020, b broke in 2021, b in history books in 2024 when Eric Trump is prez.
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If Pocahontas Warren would have smoked more of her peace pipe and just left her fake tribe on her fake family reservation…she wouldn’t be dealing with a 250,000 million dollar law suit. If she’ll stay away from the lies and stay on the pipe she may have a chance to return to her fake reservation. Good luck Pocahontas!
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