Manafort jury finishes third day with no verdict

And the wait continues.

The jury in Paul Manafort’s criminal trial adjourned without a verdict Monday after its third day of deliberations.

The jury asked to deliberate until 6:15 p.m. Monday — later than the jurors have stayed the previous two days, sparking speculation their could be a verdict coming. 

Judge T.S. Ellis III reconvened court at 6:15 p.m., only to tell the crowded room that he’s going to excuse the jury for the evening and reconvene tomorrow at 9:30 a.m.

{mosads}President Trump’s onetime campaign chairman is facing 18 counts of tax and bank fraud, charges stemming from special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russia meddling in the 2016 presidential election and possible collusion with the Trump campaign, though the charges are related to events that happened before Manafort joined the Trump campaign.

The jury was quiet throughout the day Monday after sending Ellis notes both Thursday and Friday. On Thursday, jurors sought answers to questions, including the definition of reasonable doubt, and on Friday they asked leave at 5 p.m. so one juror could attend an event.

The 12-member jury appears to be taking its time, but it also has a lot to comb through. Federal prosecutors called 27 witnesses and submitted more than 350 documents into evidence over 2 1/2 weeks.

Ellis reminded jurors before excusing them to refrain from discussing the case with anyone. 

“Put the matter out of your mind,” he said.

Manafort’s attorneys declined to take questions from reporters when exiting the courthouse Monday evening, though they had previously indicated that the longer the jury deliberated, the better it is for their client.