Roger Stone Jury Selection Transcript, Nov. 5, 2019
Roger Stone Jury Selection Transcript, Nov. 5, 2019
A-P-P-E-A-R-A-N-C-E-S
Appearances continued:
P-R-O-C-E-E-D-I-N-G-S
(1:15 p.m.)
time or the time of the jurors who came to get here today, yes,
THE COURT: I'm not going to ask you for that much
I just need to ask you a few questions and then hopefully we'll
were feeling unwell and you need some time to recover this
jurors?
move forward and have your lawyers represent you but to waive
your presence?
continue with the voir dire procedure and excuse you from the
courtroom.
that as well?
done with that process and there's still time this afternoon,
in the courtroom and your lawyers will be striking them and the
correct.
I hope you get the rest and the attention you need and that
(Defendant excused.)
next juror. It's 1053 I believe, the fifth one on the list.
1053.
patience.
opportunity to read.
sources and you also stated that you somewhat have followed the
investigation?
Mr. Stone in general or Mr. Stone and the charges that have
you're here. We are looking for people who think they can be
impartial.
was, it's a little hard to put that aside. It's hard for me to
questions and we may or may not ask you to step back in.
juror.
0685.
way or the other that you don't follow the news at this time?
you have any point of view one way or the other about the
case?
turn it on.
THE COURT: Thank you very much. You can step out.
0014.
to ask you.
that meant.
employer.
information about the case, you said I've heard of his name,
involved.
to, in the news you hear somebody's name, but I don't know
anything beyond that other than, yes, I've heard the name
before.
his name?
don't read the news very often, so that's the extent of it.
any of them. You said I have opinions about Donald Trump, but
partial, but I think maybe you meant impartial, but you'll let
with the campaign, would you be able to put your opinions about
the President aside and judge the evidence against Mr. Stone
prosecution?
THE COURT: Thank you very much. You can step back
about the defendant or about the case, but you also did
courtroom and you've seen him and you've heard his name, does
about him?
agents testifying.
fair and impartial in this case and does it? The case is being
it's being brought against someone who you may hear evidence
current leadership?
elaborate on that.
slack for you when you're not there, and you I think have some
November 22nd.
selected as a juror?
about?
concerns that this trial is going too long and you really can't
government?
Good afternoon.
question. You were asked by the Court a moment ago about your
Court mentioned, may call some witnesses to the trial who are
not going to ask you about them, would you be able to set those
views aside and look at those witnesses just as you would any
Good afternoon.
of Congress.
that possibly?
production?
events.
marquee events?
like that?
work closely with the Department of the Interior and with the
have to deal with members of Congress make you feel that you
would favor one side or the other if the allegations here are
opinion.
you know the names of the congressmen that you deal with or
generally --
maybe --
you articulate how you can set that aside, those feelings?
THE COURT: All right. You can step out. Thank you.
cause.
74
for cause, but she spread it out to the entire party and we're
a lot of witnesses who are coming in one way or the other who
the motion.
that gives you any more information about the defendant or the
case?
the trial was starting today and I realized what I was doing
THE COURT: You don't think that you would have any
sure what. You indicated that perhaps you heard that he was a
Do you have any more, any more information you can give me
about what it is you think you may have heard about the
you?
and especially what has gone on lately and I wrestled with this
You will hear in this case that the defendant was involved
And does that give you pause about your ability to be fair
particular, have you thought about it, would you be able to set
aside any views you had about the current president and judge
back in or we may not bring you back in. But thank you for
your candor.
events in the news but when we asked you if you had read or
heard anything about Mr. Stone or this case, you said I recall
recall generally that it occurred, what the it was and what you
aware that he had testified to, okay, Congress and I was aware
what he was charged with and how that relates to the testimony
with Congress?
those people? Do you have any opinion about him coming into
the fact that he worked on the Trump campaign that gives you
that our politics are very different but that's very different
80
start?
inclined to reschedule?
questions?
THE COURT: All right, thank you, sir. You can step
out.
this juror?
(Pause.)
the juror.
gives us about two and a half weeks. One of those weeks has a
to this juror?
82
think our estimate for the length of the trial was going to be
I don't know what the defense's plan is, how long that is
of questions for you. One I note that you've like many D.C.
Court?
Court?
grand juror, the government presents its side of the case and
that's the only side of the case you hear and you're asked
recall anything further about what you heard or where you heard
it?
heard that Mr. Stone was possibly charged and he was arrested
that gives you an opinion sitting here right now about whether
Well.
application?
that help people that who are, that teach -- let me back up.
When I was young, I was in the hospital a lot and that's how I
86
have.
THE COURT: Thank you very much. You can step back
out.
1169.
age where you get to decide whether you want to serve on a jury
or --
(Audience laughter.)
you had the option and ask if you'd like to exercise that
option and I take it by the smile on your face that you would
juror, but under the circumstances, you get to make the choice.
So thank you very much for your time this morning and you
will be excused.
(Audience laughter.)
The first one I want to tell you without getting too much into
your personal information, I want to let you know that you are
alone.
but in the event you didn't notice it, I want to let you know
would be there that whole week before. But I can't come back
until Monday.
before.
THE COURT: But let me go ahead then and ask you some
other questions.
serve.
defendant and I think you did indicate that you pay some
the case?
morning that that's what this case was going to be. I'd
you know?
90
with who, what foreign country might have interfered with our
testimony and that maybe that there's a problem that maybe that
wasn't true testimony and I think that's what the issue is.
and not just consider the thought putting the government to the
doubt.
aside --
THE COURT: Thank you very much. You can step back
1261.
understand it.
federal courthouse or --
Tennessee.
from one side. You heard the government's side of the case.
And you were only asked to determine whether there was probable
political things?
about him?
or watch C-SPAN.
THE COURT: Can you kind of wipe the slate clean and
learn what you need to learn in this case from the evidence
Congress yourself?
Congress?
other congressmen?
now?
local.
media --
board. So I, one day I wake up and say I run for, you know,
you because you were smiling and I was thinking that maybe
you read or ever heard anything about the defendant and you
98
said no, and I just want to make sure that as you think about
it now or since you filled out the questionnaire are you aware
any opinion one way or the other about the charges in this
case?
were candid about your point of view about the President's use
Mr. Stone worked hard for the President's election, and was in
could be, if you heard maybe he was on the phone with people
or what he was doing was trying to help Donald Trump become the
case.
difficult?
THE COURT: All right, thank you very much. You can
step out.
basis.
(Audience laughter.)
at all times.
and it doesn't reflect that the Court asked the same questions
the Court had asked other prospective jurors. There were some
very long pauses and some kind of odd reactions, just sort of
And although the juror in the end did say that her views,
whether she could put her views of the President aside and so
she'll be excused.
Yes, let's bring 15 more and you all can remain seated but
Thank you.
taking next?
what is the number of the one that we've -- has the family
line 65.
THE COURT: We've excused him for the day and we'll
have him call in and find out if we need him in the morning,
either.
point.
order. And this was actually the question I wanted to ask her
about anyway.
Number 1402.
answer that you gave at the end that I wanted to talk about
first. And that was that you indicated you have a child who's
school?
jury?
Does anybody have any questions that they want to ask this
juror?
THE COURT: Okay, thank you very much. You can step
out.
juror?
Number 1650.
You indicated that you'd heard something about the fact that
how the defendant had been arrested and that it had something
about him or anything more that you know about him or about
this case?
investigation closely?
that you heard that he was arrested and the case may have
sitting here right now, one way or the other, about his guilt
or innocence?
before. I was selected for jury duty, but I have not read any
case?
committee now?
and that your husband used to work on the Hill, that makes you
THE COURT: Okay, thank you. You can step back out.
Number 0910.
news that closely, but you did indicate that you had some
the charges involve that makes you feel that you couldn't be
questions?
briefly.
(Brief recess.)
that you do pay some attention to the news and you've indicated
109
when you were asked if you'd read or heard anything about the
he's affiliated with the President and the campaign and either
may have been assisting the campaign, that gives you a point of
this case?
or indirectly.
come up in the trial, you mentioned that you were not a big fan
of Julian Assange.
and just judge this case based on whether the government has
Sitting here today, is there any reason why you can't sit
before Thanksgiving?
Good afternoon.
you have friends who work in the media who reported on the
case?
(Bench conference.)
makes you feel that you can't be fair to him in judging the
charges?
(Open court.)
Your Honor.
THE COURT: Okay, thank you very much. You can step
(Open court.)
told you at the time you filled out the questionnaire was that
you indicated that you have friends in the news media. And in
particular a very close friend and would you try your hardest,
think you can follow if you are picked as a juror in this case?
understands that it's a big case just given the nature of the
communication.
THE COURT: Well, have you since you filled out the
heard anything about him, you said you definitely had, but you
114
doing?
THE COURT: Just the fact that you indicated that you
appreciate your candor when you said your general feeling may
115
when you say you would put forth the best effort.
be and how much confidence you have that you could really put
duty of all of this and would like to hold myself to that, but
I'm not sure that I trust myself to especially given the news
out. We may bring you back in and ask you some more questions
or we may not.
juror.
Number 0068.
I believe your husband had just been released for some rehab,
right now and if that would pose a difficulty for you for
serving?
evenings.
the afternoons?
slightly touch and go. But right now, it's stable today.
something goes south, you know. And that's hard. It's just
Thanksgiving?
that fast.
this juror.
yesterday.
Number 0173.
waiting for us and now it's your turn. We have some follow-up
defendant.
with the Trump campaign and with the President, but then you
juror."
close quote.
120
you've seen that -- do you feel like you know enough about his
trickster?
heard about the defendant that would make it difficult for you
Do I have --
news?
case?
personally?
election?
association mean?
Dick."
Twitter.
deliberations?
slate, ready to hear that evidence and decide this case based
impression of?
involved with the politician that you don't know have a high
opinion of?
THE COURT: Thank you. Okay. You can step back into
the...
cause.
of Richard Nixon.
excused.
126
every time I've look at this. I think it's still a close call.
dirty trickster," putting aside who may have used those words,
(Juror excused.)
Number 1518.
the defendant?
yeah.
somewhat and you indicated that you had heard a little bit
Can you just tell us a little bit about what -- what you
that just the fact that he was arrested or just the fact that
of a number of people who were listed and one was Donald Trump
and one was Steve Bannon, and you indicated "I have opinions on
them," didn't tell us what they were. But then you said "but I
fair."
Does that, the fact that he did that, give you an opinion
this case?
approach that charge with an open mind and treat him fairly in
this case?
129
follow-up questions?
this juror?
one.
Number 0706.
an opinion.
question.
anything about that experience that you had that would in any
this case?
Homeland Security?
federal employee between 2008 and 2016 for U.S. Citizenship and
enforcement capacity?
would support the FD, the FDNS, the Fraud Detection National
hands on. But I was, you know, that was going on at some level
in the building.
for the government that makes you want to favor the government
THE COURT: All right. Thank you very much. You can
the news very much, though you do seem to watch the local --
point of view about politics and national news that leads you
interested?
interested in it.
any questions?
law the law firm practiced or what kind of cases she worked on?
Number 0781.
But I do want to ask you if -- since the day you were here
when you had to fill this out, have you heard anything or
is, so...
courtroom --
remember.
before.
that?
pay attention to what this -- the one you was talking about.
bell?
serve on a jury or times that you actually sat in the box and
juror before?
went to trial?
to this court?
jury box and listen to the evidence and have to decide the
case, not this jury box but a jury box, over in Superior Court?
THE COURT: And did the jury decide at the end of the
Do you remember?
guilty.
again?
you. The people who get picked are going to have to sit and be
jurors in this case like you were way back in Superior Court,
and that could take two weeks or more of being here every day
and listening.
whatever.
me about?
lawyer from each side to come stand here and you can tell me --
(Bench conference.)
jury?
the spot or anything, but the questions the Judge was asking
about the times that you had been to court before, were those
where I live at. We were like seeing the same person, a man.
of fight?
I guess the question is, you were charged and there was a
trial?
THE COURT: Did you feel like it was fair at the end
of the day?
this a --
that case?
questions for you, we might not. But I'm going to ask you to
(Open court.)
next.
Number 0772.
to.
question?
are tax bills and whatnot. So, no, it's very easy to keep
point, but then said that you made a conscious decision not to
Who was the NBC -- Meet the Press, and he passed away. And I
can't remember his name, but I used to just love following him.
144
And there was just so much pressure 24/7 news cycle. The
And I'm just, like, no, you know. I have so much going on
in my life and I work dealing with this tax stuff all day. I
say one thing that, you know, I was -- took so many, I was an
people about it, about anything. I just, you know, you want to
(Laughter.)
have stayed away from the news, is it fair to say that you
don't bring any opinions into the courtroom right now about
microphone then.
you said that Roger -- the name of Roger Stone rings a bell.
familiar.
THE COURT: But you don't really know where you heard
the name?
147
the dots.
juror.
Number 0394.
RFP Friday, and it did not come out. And I called the client
reasonably available.
weeks?
handle it.
no --
your head because this lovely lady is trying to type what you
say.
of the facts.
aspects of it" --
defendant, you know, on the news, you know, things like that.
that's not part of the evidence in this case, can you put that
THE COURT: You can step back into the jury room.
next.
or discussed anything about the case since the time you filled
you'd read or heard anything about him or about the case and
you said "basically, what the media has reported. That he had
campaign."
case or that something that you remember you might have heard?
before congress.
campaign?
case?
questions?
homicide?
152
you felt that the -- the government acted fairly or the person
good.
THE COURT: You can step back into the jury room.
this juror?
(No response.)
jurors.
that many, and we'll see where we are at the time. I think
we would -- it's -- get more than 30 people for the rest of the
come back tomorrow rather than waiting -- making them sit for
back.
morning.
morning to the jury office and I'll have them in the jury
jury room and that's what we'll do. And we'll resume in about
0860.
you?
you have read or heard about Roger Stone, who he is, what he's
you don't know and have an open mind about what might have
actually happened?
Stone?
spectrum?
THE COURT: Can you put those aside and fairly decide
have a lot of sources you tend to follow. Have you been able
since the initial summons for this. Like I said, as the trial
about are a number of the people who are on the list of people
States.
something that makes you feel that you couldn't be fair and
me.
you?
announcement for this came up, they were looking at the third
0998.
personally about it, that you hadn't heard anything about this
now that you're not totally fair and impartial and open minded
office.
that job?
Good afternoon.
161
at the FBI?
works in the FBI but I don't know where and what she does.
MR. BUSCHEL: The fact that she works at the FBI and
there'll be witnesses who work at the FBI, you can follow the
organization?
about they burn stuff, that's all I know in regards to her job.
THE COURT: Okay, thank you very much. We'll let you
1190.
You indicated back when you filled it out that you had
read some articles in the Post or heard about the case in the
specific about what you may have heard about the defendant or
the case.
case which you already, you know, spoke about. I mean, the
questions I'm going to ask you if you would step out briefly.
Thank you.
0172.
164
time that you follow the news on some sources, but you also
indicated that you seem to remember reading about the case but
decide this case based solely on what you hear in the courtroom
and the three kids that would make it a hardship for you to
0686.
law itself.
or your spouse's background that you feel makes you come into
this case?
are a number of sources that you do, you indicated you read
advisory board?
areas.
that anymore?
current employer? You listed who they are but I was wondering
agencies.
THE COURT: Thank you very much. You can step back
juror and then one who is a little further down on the list
we hear from the next juror, then I think we should move ahead
and hear the other one who is number 44 on the list. And then
your list just to make sure that everybody gets where they need
to be.
0100.
an issue.
you?
you don't have an opinion one way or the other about the
THE COURT: Thank you very much. I'll excuse you and
have an opinion about someone running for office and how that
fair, but you said you have worked for three members of
aside here and decide whether the government has proved beyond
it?
that instruction?
investigating?
move to excuse for cause. I think her answer to the Court now
the prospective juror was very clear that she could be fair and
presented.
was trying to be very honest and say, you know, I work there, I
with which he's charged and she didn't bring an opinion about
remove her for cause at this time and so that motion will be
denied.
175
1048.
case.
heard about Mr. Stone in this case? Did you know who he was
what his professional pursuits were other than what I've read.
headline was.
jury.
evidence fairly and apply the law to the facts as best I can.
perspective?
in this courtroom and nothing else, and not whose side he was
reasonable doubt.
courtroom with certain points of view, but do you feel that you
conscious --
question?
availability for the trial and your answer was other than
have not made my travel plans yet until I found out how this
was about the question the Court was asking you a moment ago.
All I can tell the Court is that I come into this with
understand what they are and I don't agree with what he stands
for. And then there's the notion of, you know I think he
of an existing position.
that.
If you say you come to the court and you are going to hear
everyone.
on it if that's acceptable.
to both sides?
individuals.
my best.
I can't --
can succeed?
are not easy questions to answer and not easy answers for us to
access.
183
Mr. Buschel.
the court and we all understand what's going on and I'll let
the fact that they may be involved in this case would make it
think we saw with him and with the juror before is what happens
activities.
morning about people signaling how they feel about what's being
Go on.
start practicing.
1498.
since the time you were here or do you have any more
case?
the Court was asking you about a moment ago about news. I saw
newspapers, magazines?
THE COURT: Thank you very much, sir. You can step
THE COURT: The next witness was the one who was
about the defendant and you said yes, I seen news reports to
and other news outlets. I'm also aware of the charges against
Mr. Stone.
understand.
have seen and read and it's just not since we showed up in
verdict.
Doesn't really matter which way, but it may effect who is more
don't feel like they know anything one way or the other. We
are not saying we want people who pay no attention and who
case and don't have a point of view. And that's who we want in
look great for the defendant right now based on what I've seen
and read.
them. I was like no, I don't know any of those people, I'm not
right party.
ask?
that?
you to step out. If we have more questions for you we'll bring
you back in. But thank you very much and we appreciate your
candor.
but candor.
correct?
So in, but you say you've heard maybe a little bit about
that.
about what he's charged with or the facts of the case beyond
the other about whether the government can prove the charges in
the microphone.
not, then you have to find the defendant not guilty, you
understand that?
guilty. You just have to listen and decide whether he did it.
If they don't prove anything, you have to find him not guilty.
this case and you said you wanted to see the operation in the
court system.
an environmental engineer?
adding to your building, and you are going to disturb the land
THE COURT: Thank you very much, sir. You can step
this gentleman?
0521.
could you attend, could you hear the issues, you would not be
operation?
hours.
basically?
season, yeah.
company the whole time, I don't think that's what we're looking
1224.
agency.
case.
Does the fact that you worked for the government for a
federal prosecution?
read and watch some news, but we asked the question about
yeah, I heard something about that. Can you put that aside and
197
MR. KRAVIS: What was the job that you held before
you retired?
MR. KRAVIS: What kind of work did you do, what were
program.
outside.
0030.
completed.
that you'd followed the media. Really there's like two many
resources for you to list. You track some more closely, the
investigation.
or heard about Roger Stone or what you think you might know
about Roger Stone? You said you had heard of him but don't
in the Trump campaign, but you don't know what role he played.
it?
campaign, does that effect your opinion of him one way or the
other?
social media and there you said there were too many to list of
the news sources you follow. Can you just give us a couple, it
the ABC, CBS, NBC. I listen to Podcasts. The daily like NPR.
THE COURT: All right. Thank you very much. You can
1466. No?
THE DEPUTY CLERK: No, that was our 15, Your Honor,
that's it.
the end of the day we only bring back the ones we've qualified
question.
and only make those people come back, that that would be a good
but -- so these are the only ones we have left. The previous
ones I don't think we are going to pick the jury today, do you?
No.
let's tell them we'd like to briefly question them and maybe go
can today.
(Pause.)
sealed.
copies but in order for her to email them, she needed an order
1466.
asked you not read or discuss anything about the case and you
the way the Court works, so we have not talked about anything.
you would be able to continue with that for the rest of the
trial?
understand?
of the campaign.
would you hold that against him or can you be fair and
of the witnesses. And you may hear from at least one witness
their testimony, you said yes, and you said it's hard to
believe criminals who have already been found guilty. And they
you think he's telling the truth or not or do you come into it
I'm discounting?
down?
some point, not between the time of the Court the time we were
called.
campaign.
THE COURT: Okay, thank you. You can step back into
1694.
is that when you received this summons, there was a notice that
the 13th of November when I fully expect that the trial will be
going on.
weren't.
appointments?
that day?
mind?
209
whether you had heard anything about the defendant and you
about a third of the Mueller report but did not get further.
this point sitting here right now about Mr. Stone and these
charges?
don't know if you were sure that it was him that he may have
and given his age, it's almost impossible that he's the person
210
well, I'll let the parties ask any follow up questions about
this matter.
Samuels campaign?
told about a job. I was not someone who knew or cared about
Howard Samuels at that time. But it was another kid who needed
a job and I did that for awhile and then I stopped. I was
paid.
Stone's age, did you learn anything else while you were doing
wasn't interested in that stuff. I've heard his name over the
years.
Mueller report. Did you read about anything about Roger Stone
in the report?
in this case?
ax to grind.
THE COURT: Thank you very much. You can step back
record.
Mr. Stone's name. It's been redacted. I'm just putting that
on the record now because I don't know what the state of the
0944.
committee.
make you feel that the nature of these charges alone makes it
listed some of, you included both some people that were
people that you had opinions about. You didn't indicate what
Does that fact and any opinions that you have about other
THE COURT: You said that you knew a little bit about
the case; that he was charged or had been charged as I've just
order by a judge.
Can you put that aside and not consider that information
MR. KRAVIS: What was the nature of the work you did
215
there?
THE COURT: Thank you very much. You can step back
that juror?
1047.
starts.
you indicated that yes, in fact you had read the cover in the
Post and the Times, et cetera. Also you had followed the
well.
Yeah.
you think?
any more attention to the press in this case, have you been
opinion to them, come into the courtroom and just say okay, I
have to clean my head, put that aside and just listen to the
confident.
case?
Yes, sir.
Juror 1747 said that she thought Mr. Stone was guilty.
THE COURT: She said that was her opinion. She said
for cause.
fair, but I also said earlier that the point is to get people
the President.
follow up. One thing you said at the time is that you don't
really follow the news and politics and you hadn't heard
the meantime?
why you couldn't sit in this case and listen to all of the
evidence and decide the case just based solely on the evidence
this case?
investigation.
221
0705.
have any problem, would you have any problem sitting and
heard anything about the defendant in this case. Back when you
filled out the questionnaire you thought you might have but you
details.
this case?
be totally fair and listen to the evidence and decide the case
put it.
questions?
broke. So I came back and went to work for Home Depot for a
THE COURT: Thank you very much, sir. You can step
jury tomorrow.
But then Mr. Haley will bring them down, seat them in the order
people will be seated in the box. They will be taken out and
shown where their jury room is. They will come back in and we
will open.
please try to get the information to Mr. Haley. You have the
go. But we're not going to swear the jury until we know that's
the case.
to sit 14 jurors?
Mr. Haley and he's going to give you back the piece of paper
Then you are going to show it to them and you are going to
give him the piece of paper. You can all strike them on your
paper. But people are not going to be sitting in the box and
told no, you get out of the box. We're not going to do that.
has exhausted their strikes or you have passed and you don't
and so, take the seat in juror number one and he will fill the
-oOo-
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CERTIFICATE
_________________________________ _______________________
/s/Crystal M. Pilgrim, RPR, FCRR Date: November 6, 2019