It looks like Clinton lawyer Michael Sussmann better get comfortable in the courtroom because he won’t be going anywhere else anytime in the immediate future, despite his attorney’s attempt. Defense attorneys representing Sussmann in the first trial stemming from Special Counsel John Durham’s investigation into the origins of the Trump-Russia probe signaled they were moving for a mistrial, however, the federal judge presiding over the case said he was “not inclined” to agree.
Fox News reports:
Sussmann’s attorney, Sean Berkowitz on Wednesday afternoon said he planned to argue for a mistrial on Thursday, due to a back-and-forth that came from the hours-long questioning and testimony of former Clinton campaign general counsel Marc Elias.
At one point during cross-examination by the defense, Elias was asked whether Sussmann went to the FBI in September 2016 with data alleging a covert communications channel between Donald Trump and Russia’s Alfa Bank on behalf of the Hillary Clinton campaign.
“I think you’d have to ask Mr. Sussmann,” Elias said.
Later, the prosecution brought Sussmann’s response up — a move the defense said violates Sussmann’s rights.
U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper wasn’t moved by the defense’s argument.
“You should be prepared to deal with witnesses [tomorrow],” Cooper told Berkowitz. “I am not inclined to grant a mistrial.”
The government called former FBI General Counsel James Baker to the stand following hours of Elias’s testimony. Baker was questioned for about 45 minutes and is expected to face questioning for most of the morning on Thursday as well as cross-examination from the defense.
Sussmann is charged with making a false statement to the FBI.
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