[U] Defense Rests; One Last Argument — On Jury Instructions — Closings Today; Jury May Get The Case Tomorrow…

UPDATED @ 7 PM EST: Closing Arguments will continue tomorrow at 9:00 AM — thus: “…Counsel gave their closing arguments which shall continue on 12/21/17 at 9:00a.m. in Courtroom 6 C South before Judge Matsumoto….” So the jury will likely begin deliberations tomorrow afternoon —
Thursday. [End, update.]

This morning, closing arguments will begin in US v. Greebel (USDC, EDNY 15-CR-637-2), in the federal District Courtroom in Brooklyn. Clearly, the able Judge Matsumoto is reaching the limit of her patience with the lawyers who — after multiple revisions and “meet and confer” sessions — are still sniping at each other about finer points in the 79-some pages of jury instructions.

But the jury may have the case by this afternoon — and we may have a verdict before Christmas.

Now you know — with a hat tip to the pay-walled Law360 for the general outline and sense of this story; I supplemented it with a review of the docket, this morning — and new filings. Fair use claimed. Oh — and here is the verdict form — a simple one pager. That’s why I think we may have a verdict by Christmas Day — or soon thereafter. That, and I doubt this jury — after nine weeks — wants to be cooped up over the holidays, deliberating. Not so sure the defense strategy was smart — dragging on into this week — and putting the jury (potentially) into “hurry-up” mode. My sense is that this timing favors the AUSAs.

Namaste