Earlier this afternoon, in Trumpland (federal court):
Roger Stone takes the stand:
Says: "I believe I abused the order, for which I am heartfully sorry. I am kicking myself over my own stupidity... I offer no excuse for it, no justification..."
Then calls it a lapse in judgement caused by stress. An excuse and a justification.
"This is just a stupid lapse in judgment." Says his business has dried up and he's exhausted his savings. "My apology is sincere and it is heartfelt."
(If you say “My apology is sincere and it is heartfelt,” it is neither.)
Enormous pressure. They must have fitted his barrel a size too small.
JUDGE: "How hard was it to come up with a photograph that doesn't have crosshairs in the corner?"
Stone tells Judge Berman Jackson it was improper for him to criticize the judge at all. Again calls it an "egregious, stupid mistake."
He’s begging now.
There’s your big, tough, rat-fucker, right there, Republicans. Begging. A federal Judge. For leniency.
JUDGE: "You saw it, and you said, 'Okay, I'm going to post this'?"
STONE: I'm sorry, it was a mistake.
Judge Berman Jackson says Stone has "insisted" that his name has been in the media every day since Stone's arrest."After he apologized, he continued talking every single day."
Judge says Stone has "decided to pursue a strategy of attacking others." Says Stone couldn’t keep story straight on the stand. Says Instagram post had a “more sinister message.” Roger Stone, fully understands the power of words and symbols, she says.
Looks like Roger Stone won’t be polluting the nation’s ears any longer. At least not about Judge Berman-Jackson or his case.
JUDGE: “No, Mr. Stone, I’m not giving you another chance.” Modifying conditions, says Stone cannot speak publicly about the case.
Friday, Feb 22, 2019 · 2:26:11 AM +00:00
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AlyoshaKaramazov
Under the new order, Stone is barred from speaking publicly, giving any media interviews, commenting about his case on social media or indirectly commenting by having statements made on his behalf.
Jackson, however, told Stone he can send out as many tweets or posts as he wants asking for donations to his legal defense fund and can therein deny the charges against him or claim innocence — but that’s it.