| USA TODAY |
RICHMOND, Va. - While giving instructions to jurors Tuesday morning, a federal judge said he would allow Maureen McDonnell to be found guilty of conspiring with the former CEO of Star Scientific if no conspiracy is found with former Virginia Gov.
Bob McDonnell » Juries »
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I find the judge's decision to "allow" as odd, at this juncture, based on the same reasoning used by this judge, as given, for not allowing separate trials, as requested per the (ex-Gov's) legal defense team.
If Ms. McDonnell were to be convicted of "conspiring" separate from her husband, (ex-Gov Bob), which becomes more-likely-than-not, ... I would think an appeal would be quickly forthcoming, requesting otherwise from the (ex-Gov Bob's) corporation of lawyers (at least 4), based on these added instructions. In effect, helping his defense to overturn any likely conviction by the jury of twelve (12).
Who by the way, were legally mandated it seems, if not required, to start working at the very end of the hearing (Friday) and not to wait... or be allowed ... to take a 2-day holiday break until (Tuesday) before starting their subpenaed jury duty of post-trial deliberations.
Noting that one juror already had to be dismissed for exercising questionable behavior (outside information or contacts, etc.,) during the actual trial period.
