The judge in Paul Manafort’s Virginia trial denied the former Trump campaign chairman’s request to wear a suit for his next hearing on Oct. 19, and “all subsequent hearings,” arguing that Manafort should be treated no differently than other defendants who are in custody.
“Defendants who are in custody post-conviction are, as a matter of course, not entitled to appear for sentencing or any other hearing in street clothing,” Judge T.S. Ellis wrote in the court order on Tuesday. “This defendant should be treated no differently from other defendants who are in custody post-conviction.”
In the Virginia case, Manafort, who has been in jail since June, was convicted on eight counts of federal financial crimes, with the jury deadlocked on the remaining 10 counts.
The Oct. 19 hearing will focus on Manafort’s decision to strike a deal to cooperate with special counsel Robert Mueller’s team in order to avoid a second trial in Washington, D.C. The judge will assess whether Manfort’s sentencing will be stalled until Manafort is finished cooperating with Mueller. Ellis has called the terms of Manafort’s plea deal — involving the delay of proceedings — “highly unusual.”
Read Ellis’ motion denial below:
