As the three-ringed circus proceeds to persecute former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort, Judge T.S. Ellis III has come under fire not just from the media and prosecution but he has now announced that he has received direct threats.
Giving his reasons for not releasing the jurors’ names to the press, Judge Ellis explained that:
“I can tell you there have been [threats]... I don't feel right if I release their names.”
He further stated that threats had been made directly against him and that he required around the clock protection, saying “[t]he Marshalls go where I go.”
Judge T.S. Ellis III
The unanswered question is where the threats actually came from. Like any good judge, Ellis is refusing to answer because the fallout could prejudice the jury’s decision, but there are three likely scenarios.
Scenario #1
The threats came from the anti-Trump brigade. For those who see President Trump as “literally Hitler,” the successful prosecution of Paul Manafort is key to denying his legitimacy. Ignoring the fact that even if Manafort is found guilty on all counts, not one crime has anything to do with the Trump election campaign, this is still seen as vital to keeping the news agenda of running continuous negative coverage.
As evidenced by the Steve Scalise shooting and the growing number of violent Antifa mobs, there are certainly a wealth of dangerous and deranged people who are willing to engage in intimidating behavior with political motivations.
Scenario #2
The threats are from pro-Trumpers. President Trump has ignited a p
assion in swathes of the American public who had given up entirely on the political system. When folks see trials like this that are clearly engaged in persecution, some may take it upon themselves to make a personal stand.
A person who engages in this kind of behavior is likely not able to understand that they are doing far more harm than good.
Scenario #3
The whole thing is a false flag operation. It is not beyond the realms of possibility that the threats have been made by those opposing President Trump in the guise of those supporting him. If the jury gives a verdict clearing Manafort, it can be shown that pressure was applied illegally in the form of threats; it not only makes a retrial more likely but also paints Trump and his supporters as thugs who are corrupting the legal system.
It seems circumspect that the threats (or news of the threats) only came out after the jury had begun their deliberations. When the jury asked a series of questions that culminated in a request to clarify what the term “reasonable doubt” actually meant, the balance shifted. Prior to this, most media outlets assumed the guilt and sentencing of Manafort was a foregone conclusion.
Judicial Integrity
Whatever the final verdict, these threats need to be investigated. A nation of laws can only survive if those laws are applied free of fear or retaliation. No longer can “protest” be an adequate excuse for intimidation.
