Donald Trump’s longtime friend and political adviser Roger Stone is facing 40 months behind bars. U.S. District Court Judge Amy Berman Jackson handed down the sentence Thursday.
Jackson had some strong words leading up to the sentencing today, especially when talking about Stone trying to intimidate her and a juror. At one point when talking about why a harsher sentence should be handed down, the judge said, “The court should not sit idly by, shrug its shoulders and say, ‘That’s just Roger being Roger.”
Stone had the opportunity to address the court before the sentence was handed down today, but declined saying, “Your honor, I choose not to speak at this time. Thank you very much.”
There is good reason to believe Stone won’t actually serve out his sentence as Trump has hinted at a pardon. Early today he even retweeted a segment where Fox News’ Tucker Carlson said, “President Trump could end this travesty in an instant with a pardon, and there are indications tonight that he will do that.”
Stone was convicted of lying to Congress in connection with his work on the Trump campaign back in 2016. The four original prosecutors recommended that Stone be sent to prison for 7-9 years. They withdrew from the case last week when Attorney General Bill Barr overruled that recommendation. That unfolded after Trump tweeted he could not “allow this miscarriage of justice!”
Even though Stone has been sentenced, this case is likely far from over. Stone remains a free man as the court considers whether he should be granted a new trial. CNBC reports:
Stone’s attorneys have filed a motion seeking a new trial for the Florida resident, based on alleged juror misconduct during his trial.
The motion, which is sealed, followed disclosures that jury forewoman Tomeka Hart posted articles and other information on social media critical of Trump.