What you need to know
- Roger Stone was sentenced to 40 months in prison. The longtime Trump ally was convicted last year on seven charges of obstruction, lying to Congress and witness tampering.
Roger Stone sentenced to 40 months in prison
29 Posts
Our live coverage of Roger Stone’s sentencing has ended. You can scroll through the posts below to read more or follow CNNPolitics.
Stone watched Trump discuss his case on his phone from a DC restaurant
Hours after he was sentenced to more than three years in prison, Roger Stone sat in a Washington, DC restaurant, using a phone to watch as President Trump talked about Stone’s sentence.
Stone, sitting among a group of people at The Palm, appeared calm as he sat with his jacket off at a table in the center of the room.
Earlier Thursday, US District Judge Amy Berman Jackson sentenced Stone, an adviser and friend to Trump, to three years and four months in prison for lying to Congress and threatening a witness regarding his efforts for the President’s 2016 campaign. Stone also received two-years probation on each count, running concurrently. He must undergo substance abuse testing, participate in community service and pay a $20,000 fine.
Asked if he was expecting good news today, Stone told CNN reporters, “I don’t know, that’s why we’re watching. The President is speaking right now.”
The President didn’t rule out an eventual pardon or commutation, but said the process should play out first.
“At some point I’ll make a determination, but Roger Stone and everybody has to be treated fairly. And this has not been a fair process,” Trump said.
Stone later told CNN reporters the gag order is still in place but he offered a compliment before going off to eat grilled chicken paillard.
Trump says he won't pardon Roger Stone right now
President Trump said he won’t act to grant clemency to Roger Stone right now, saying he wanted the process to play out before making a decision.
“I’m not going to do anything in terms of the great powers bestowed upon a President of the United States, I want the process play out, I think that’s the best thing to do,” Trump said today in Las Vegas. “Because I’d love to see Roger exonerated, and I’d love to see it happen because I personally think he was treated very unfairly.”
Trump didn’t rule out an eventual pardon or commutation, but said the process should play out first.
Trump says Roger Stone has "very good chance of exoneration"
President Trump said his friend and former associate Roger Stone “has a very good chance of exoneration.”
Speaking hours after Stone was sentenced to more than three years in prison, Trump said he was following the matter closely and “want to see it play out to its fullest.”
Trump called Stone a “character” and said he likes him.
“Roger was never involved in the Trump campaign for president,” Trump said. “Early on before I announced, he may have done a little consulting work or something.”
Trump went on to attack the forewoman of the jury, calling her an “anti-Trump activist.”
Here's what Roger Stone and his supporters were doing during his sentencing
Before the hearing began, Roger Stone watched attentively as the pews filled with reporters, friends, family, and well-wishers.
There was a large cohort from the Justice Department in attendance, but none of the Robert Mueller prosecutors who handled Stone’s case. Many of those prosecutors attended past sentencing hearings for key players.
During the hearing, Stone paid close attention and took notes while his lawyer argued that he never really threatened witness Randy Credico.
Later, Stone fidgeted around in his seat while Judge Jackson explained how he lied to the court and obstructed the proceedings, including when he posted an image of her in crosshairs on his social media page.
Stone’s stepdaughter leaned forward at times, with her hands clasped in front of her face, while Jackson delivered Stone’s sentence.
Michael Caputo, a longtime Stone friend and colleague, was hunched over at times, staring at the ground while the sentence was read.
Another one of Stone’s supporters sat with his hands in front of his face, covering his eyes.
After the verdict was delivered and the court adjourned, some of the Justice Department lawyers who watched the case were overheard praising Jackson and how she handled the hearing. One woman said it’s “amazing how her brain works so quickly.”
After the hearing, Stone exited the courtroom with a smirk, looking at the crowd of reporters and supporters who gathered to see him leave. He declined to comment on the sentence.
While Stone was walking around the courthouse, doing paperwork, someone apparently tried to film him. This drew a swift and loud rebuke from the court staff, who reminded the crowd that recordings aren’t permitted inside the courthouse.
“Let the marshals do their job,” Stone said.
Roger Stone leaves the courthouse after sentencing
Roger Stone left the US District Court in DC with a smile on his face.
He did not speak before getting into a black SUV.
Watch Roger Stone leave court:
Stone will also pay a $20,000 fine
US District Judge Amy Berman Jackson has sentenced Roger Stone, an adviser and friend to President Trump, to three years and four months in prison for lying to Congress and threatening a witness regarding his efforts for the President’s 2016 campaign.
Stone also receive two-years probation on each count, running concurrently. He must also…
- Have substance abuse testing
- Do community service
- Pay a $20,000 fine
Jackson said she is transferring supervision of his release to Southern District of Florida. She will determine later whether he will have a reentry progress hearing.
Stone's hearing is over
Roger Stone’s sentencing hearing just wrapped up after judge Amy Berman Jackson sentenced the Trump ally to three years and four months in prison.
Prosecutors initially asked for seven to nine years in prison — but Attorney General William Barr retracted that recommendation hours after Trump criticized it on Twitter for being too harsh.
Four prosecutors withdrew from the case in response to Barr’s decision. Two new DC US Attorney’s Office supervisors stepped up to handle Stone’s sentencing, and a new sentencing memo was released asking for “far less” time. Today, one of the new prosecutors said the Justice Department stands by the original sentencing memo and argued that “the court should impose a substantial period of incarceration” on Stone.
JUST IN: Roger Stone sentenced to 40 months in prison
Judge Amy Berman Jackson has sentenced Trump ally Roger Stone to 40 months in prison. He was convicted last year on seven charges of obstruction, lying to Congress and witness tampering.
Prosecutors initially asked for seven to nine years in prison — but Attorney General William Barr retracted that recommendation hours after Trump criticized it on Twitter for being too harsh.
Four prosecutors withdrew from the case in response to Barr’s decision. Two new DC US Attorney’s Office supervisors stepped up to handle Stone’s sentencing, and a new sentencing memo was released asking for “far less” time.
Today, one of the new prosecutors said the Justice Department stands by the original sentencing memo and argued that “the court should impose a substantial period of incarceration” on Stone.
Watch CNN:
Judge brings up the time Stone threatened a dog
US District Judge Amy Berman Jackson grew more intense with her speech as she shifted her focus to witness tampering.
Jackson noted that Stone pressured witness Randy Credico not to speak about the updates Stone was sending to the campaign.
In April 2018, Stone wrote an email to Credico, saying, “You are a rat. A stoolie. You backstab your friends-run your mouth my lawyers are dying Rip you to shreds.” Stone also said he would “take that dog away from you.”
She also acknowledged how Credico said Stone is a dog lover, which is “a good thing.”
“Maybe today he just doesn’t want to be the reason behind the tough sentence” Jackson mused about Credico.
Judge: "Mr. Stone is an insecure person who craves and recklessly pursues attention"
US District Judge Amy Berman Jackson called Roger Stone an “insecure person” and said nothing about his case is “funny.”
Stone’s sentencing hearing is ongoing.
Watch CNN:
Judge outlines Stone's actions since 2016
US District Judge Amy Berman Jackson is addressing Roger Stone during his sentencing hearing — and she’s doing all the way back to the very beginning of Stone’s case.
In her remarks, Jackson referenced 2016 when Russia hacked the Democratic National Committee. At the time, Stone was writing to his associate Jerome Corsi, saying, “Get to Assange,” referring to WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange.
The judge highlighted Stone reaching out to Paul Manafort, saying he had an idea, to “save Trump’s ass.”
Stone, she said, made a statement about Assange, claiming he was in communication, and had a backchannel. At the time, Stone “was communicating with senior members of the Trump campaign,” including Rick Gates and Steve Bannon, Jackson noted.
Jackson then summarized the House inquiry, including statements by Rep. Devin Nunes at the time as how it was looking at Russian influence in the election. The judge zeroed in on what Stone told the House committee on Sept. 26, 2017. Jackson said Stone claimed he only had one intermediary, letting them know it was Randy Credico.
“It was all false,” Jackson said, noting that Stone then pressured Credico not to testify.
During Jackson’s remarks, Stone, wearing a navy, double breasted suit with a light blue shirt and matching blue tie, stood with his three lawyers, his hands in his pockets, slightly slouching. He shifted his weight as he listened. His three lawyers barely moved.
Judge: Roger Stone was not pursued in this case by "political enemies"
Judge Amy Berman Jackson said, “This case did not arise because Roger Stone was being pursued by his political enemies.”
Stone’s sentencing hearing is ongoing.
The hearing is back in session
The sentencing hearing of Trump ally Roger Stone has resumed.
US District Judge Amy Berman Jackson returned to the courtroom and said, “Unsurprisingly, I have a lot to say.”
Stone was convicted last year on seven charges of obstruction, lying to Congress and witness tampering. Earlier today at the hearing, prosecutors argued Stone should go to prison for “a substantial period.”
New prosecutor says Stone should go to prison for "a substantial period"
Despite the drama over whether Stone should receive the seven to nine years in prison the original Stone prosecutors recommended, the new prosecutor wants Stone to go to jail.
John Crabb Jr. said he wanted to apologize to the court for the confusion the Justice Department has caused with respect to this sentencing.
“This confusion was not caused by the original trial team,” he said. “The original trial team had authorization to submit” the original sentencing memo.
What this is all about: The prosecutors who tried the case against Stone wrote a memo asking for seven to nine years in prison — but Attorney General William Barr retracted that recommendation hours after Trump criticized it on Twitter for being too harsh. The four original prosecutors withdrew from the case in response to Barr’s decision. Two new DC US Attorney’s Office supervisors stepped up to handle Stone’s sentencing, and a new sentencing memo was released asking for “far less” time.
Today, Crabb said he stands by the original sentencing memo, adding, “It was done in good faith.”
The Justice Department and US Attorney’s Office operate “without fear, favor or political influence. This prosecution is righteous.”
Crabb said he is not going to elaborate on who wrote the revised memo or say who directed him to write it, after the judge asked him directly. He would only say he signed the updated memo.
“The court will rely on its own sound judgment and experience,” Crabb said. “We have confidence the court will impose a just and fair sentence in this matter.”
Watch CNN:
Stone decides not to speak in court
During his sentencing, Roger Stone told the judge, “Your honor, I choose not to speak at this time. Thank you very much.”
Stone’s sentencing is ongoing.
Watch CNN:
Stone's lawyer says he's not just a persona — he's "a real human being"
Roger Stone’s attorney, acknowledging that his client is known for his flamboyancy, asked the judge to go easy on him.
The sentence is “going to be imposed on a real person,” attorney Seth Ginsberg said.
“With these things in mind, that I ask the court to consider the full scope of the person who stands before you for sentencing” and not to look at things he said “during the heat of battle” of this case and trial,” Ginsberg said.
Judge: The court can't sit idle and say "that’s just Roger being Roger"
Judge Jackson says that a harsher sentence should apply here, because Stone threatened or intimidated a juror, provided false information to a judge and potentially threatened her.
She continued: “It wasn’t accidental,” adding that Stone used social media to get “the broadest dissemination possible.”
“Incendiary activity is precisely what he’s known for,” she said, noting his friend’s letter to her.
“This is intolerable to the administration of justice. The court should not sit idly by, shrug its shoulders and say, ‘that’s just Roger being Roger,’” Jackson said.
She said, “Defendant’s behavior here” following his arrest was disruptive, in that “we had to waste considerable time” convening hearings, trying to get Stone to comply with court orders “that were clear as day” and to keep people in the courthouse safe.
Meanwhile, Stone is sitting with his eye’s closed, fiddling with a pen and shifting his weight.
Watch here:
Prosecutors today are sticking with the approach laid out in the first sentencing memo
The Justice Department prosecutors in court today are essentially arguing that nothing should change for Roger Stone.
CNN’s Katelyn Polantz, who is inside the courtroom, reports that twice now the prosecutors have argued for the same approach the Justice Department took last week in their initial sentencing memorandum, arguing that there should be a harsher sentence for Stone.
Remember: Prosecutors had initially asked Stone to be sentenced to seven to nine years in prison, resting that recommendation on the severity of his crimes and behavior. President Trump called that ask “very unfair,” however, in a late-night tweet. Attorney General William Barr then overrode the recommendation, saying seven years in prison would be too harsh a sentence — a move that prompted four prosecutors to withdraw from the case.
Today’s prosecutors — two new DC US Attorney’s Office supervisors who stepped up after the withdrawal — argued that Stone should receive the higher sentence for two reasons: First, he obstructed justice in Robert Mueller’s investigation. Second, he threatened witness Randy Credico.
US District Judge Amy Berman Jackson sided with the DOJ, agreeing that the sentencing recommendation for Stone should be much higher on the obstruction charge.
“It led to an inaccurate, incorrect and incomplete report” from the House on Russia, WikiLeaks and the Trump campaign, Jackson said.
Watch here:
Here's what Trump is tweeting as Stone's sentencing plays out
As Roger Stone’s sentencing gets underway, President Trump is tweeting on other foes, including former FBI director James Comey, former FBI deputy director Andrew McCabe, as well as John Kerry and Sen. Chris Murphy, whom, he claims, violated the Logan Act, an assertion he has made before.
Previously, Trump claimed that, in an exchange with Sen. Chuck Grassley at a committee meeting, Comey admitted to being a leaker.
Facts First: Trump’s claim was the opposite of the truth. Comey denied being a leaker in that meeting of the Senate Judiciary Committee in May 2017.
In another tweet, Trump said Kerry and Murphy violated the Logan Act, which makes it a felony for individuals who are not authorized by the US government to negotiate with foreign governments which have disputes with the US. CNN has fact checked a similar claim by Trump before — you can read it here.
Ad Feedback
Ad Feedback
Ad Feedback