I believe the Manafort jury feels betrayed by the judge. If my understanding is clear, one of the first requests of the jury was a copy of the law. That was not what they received. They received a recording of the judge’s instructions. They found out even though Paul Manafort is guilty as sin, they are completely on their own to determine the guilt backed up by ALL the voluminous evidence before them, albeit limited to the prejudice of the judge.
I think the judge abused his power to intensionally sabotage the jury. No judge has a right to interject cultural standards to a trial, that is why there are defense attorneys. The judge tainted the trial with enforcement of the “belief” it is not illegal to be rich. That is a ridiculous idea to enforce with a jury. Obviously, in the case of Paul Manafort it is illegal to be rich. The judge has muddied the waters for the jury and they know it.
To me, when the jury asked for a copy of the law, it indicated the jury has no faith or trust in the judge or his interfering dialogue.
