Verdict – major defeat for Durham and its Department of Justice prosecutors, who spent three years searching for misdemeanor in Trump-Russia investigation. He claimed that Sussmann lied during a meeting in 2016. in which he gave information to the FBI about Donald Trump and Russia.
Washington, D.C., federal jury debated for six hours over two days before sentencing.
One juror told CNN the jurors initially disagreed on sentence when they got the case on Friday afternoon. But over well of discussion, the juror said, all 12 jurors agreed that Durham team does not comply with the five legal requirements necessary to find Sussmann guilty.
Süssmann’s lawyers have repeatedly asserted on element of “materiality”, which required prosecutors to prove that Sussman’s alleged lies were relevant enough to potentially affect work.
Four additional jurors declined to comment about the verdict.
A sigh was heard of relief from Süssmann family after the jury announced the acquittal. As they left the courtroom, Sussman’s wife, Dr. Apple Sussmann, said, “Holy cow, that was exhausting. Durham was silent. in courtroom for a few minutes after he was basically devastated out.
“This is the case of extraordinary prosecutorial abuses”, defense Attorneys Sean Berkowitz and Michael Bosworth said in statement. “And we believe that today’s verdict sends an unmistakable signal anyone who likes to listen: politics is not a replacement for evidence, and politics does not have place in our system of justice.”
Sussmann spoke to the press outside courthouse, thanked the jury and said that he really wanted to move on from this ordeal and return to your work as a cybersecurity lawyer.
“I said truth to the FBI, and the jury clearly recognized that with their unanimous verdict today,” Susmann said. “…Despite the fact that I was falsely accused, I am glad that justice ultimately dominated in my business.”
Durham said in stating that he is “disappointed” with verdict.
“Though we are disappointed in result, we respect the opinion of the jury decision and thank them for their service,” Durham said. in statement. “I also want acknowledge and thank the investigators and the prosecution team for their dedicated efforts in looking for truth as well as justice in this case.”
The Durham investigation takes hit
So far Durham work only led to one condemnation: guilty plea of Associate FBI Attorney who was involved in listening order for a former Trump 2016 campaign adviser. Durham also indicted a Russian émigré linked to the infamous Steele dossier, which is on trial for October.
The Süssmann case was first main courtroom test for Durham, and an acquittal could strengthen Durham’s position. critics, who I think he’s conducting a politicized investigation into far-fetched theories.
This story was updated with additional details.
Hanna Rabinovich of CNN contributed to this report.
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