McDonnell trial — Bob’s testimony is over
After almost 5 weeks of trial, with the defense about to wrap up, will Judge Spencer try to cram it in before the Labor Day holiday, or will he recess trial so that closing arguments and deliberations will come after the long weekend?...
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McDonnell trial — Bob’s cross-examination begins
Cross examination will continue Tuesday, and defense evidence will probably wrap up on Wednesday. Look for the case to be ready to argue to the jury by Friday....
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Bob McDonnell testifies that his marriage was a mess; will it work?
Bob McDonnell gave an emotional description of a marriage that was falling apart, so much so that he would stay in his office until late at night to avoid having to deal with his wife, so (he claims) he didn’t know what she was doing with Jonnie Williams. He claimed not to know of the shopping trips and the gifts and the trips to sell Anatabloc....
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McDonnell trial — the Defense Begins
As the defense began Monday, Bob’s political aides and Cabinet secretaries testified about how he was honest, a Boy Scout, and how Maureen was a diva, difficult to work with and impossible to work for. The defense theory is clear — Bob was working his butt off for the people of Virginia, but neither he nor the staff had any control over Maureen. ...
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McDonnell trial, day 14 — the prosecution rests
Gov’t – Jonnie spent $177K on the McDonnells, including a $36,000 family vacation on Cape Cod in 2012. Defense – Bob says thanks for the vacation, Jonnie, but I don’t seem to be able to get anyone to help you at UVA or VCU....
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McDonnell trial, Day 13 — the false statement charges look tenuous
The prosecution is about done, and get ready for “300 witnesses, and no one who can say that there was a quid pro quo? 3.5 million documents and you didn’t find anything that showed that the Governor actually DID something in return for the loans?” ...
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McDonnell trial, Day 12 — debts, lies, no videotape
A series of relatively short witnesses hung some more ornaments on the prosecutor’s tree, but there were no big bombshell moments....
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McDonnell trial, Day 11 — How much could Bob do?
Bob McDonnell knew how to write a threatening letter, demanding action from his appointees, but there is no indication that he ever did so on behalf of Star Scientific. Apparently all he did was to speak kindly of Anatabloc....
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McDonnell trial — Looking back at the first two weeks
After two weeks of testimony, the McDonnell mess looks tawdry and sleazy, but the door seems to be open to the defense of “Bob McDonnell didn’t do anything for Star Scientific that he and other Virginia governors haven’t done for hundreds of other Virginia companies, so no crime was committed.”...
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McDonnell trial — Star Scientific stock was a dog
Star Scientific stock was an absolute dog. It had no marketable product, it was involved in litigation that could destroy it, it made no money and had no realistic prospects of making money any time soon. The McDonnells were cash-strapped. So why did they take the money that was loaned to them to help them get out of debt and buy Star Scientific stock instead?...
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