There were several major developments at today’s Status Conference in the case of the U.S. v. Raniere Et Al – but like a great orchestra conductor, the presiding judge, Nicholas G. Garaufis, made it clear that the prosecution and the defense attorneys are both going to play the way he wants them to play.
The biggest news was the prosecution’s announcement that a superseding indictment will definitely be issued “…in the next few weeks”.
No more “maybes” – no more “it’s possible that”…
A superseding indictment is going to be issued sometime between now and mid-March.
Which is exactly what the Frank Report indicated was going to happen in an earlier post.
“We do intend to supersede,” U.S. attorney Moira Penza told Judge Garaufis.
Penza explained the superseding indictment is based off of an “additional piece of evidence” that has been seized. The attorney did not state whether or not this means additional defendants will be brought forward.
The indictment is to come in the “next several weeks,” according to Penza.
The prosecution also told the court that there’s not likely going to be anything in the superseding indictment that should surprise the defense attorneys – and that because the prosecution has been very liberal with regard to its discovery productions, the defense should already have most of what it will need to respond to whatever new charges are in the superseding indictment.
Although the defense attorneys are still whining about not knowing exactly what evidence the prosecution is going to use at trial, lead prosecutor, AUSA Moira Kim Penza, has, in fact, turned over copies of all the evidence that was seized from Nancy Salzman’s former home.
That’s going to make it very difficult for the defense attorneys to convince the judge that the trial should be delayed because of the superseding indictment.
That will be especially true for the about-to-no-longer-be-the-lead-dog defense attorney, Marc Agnifilo, who has been claiming that his client, Keith Raniere, wants to go to trial as soon as possible.
Agnifilo also raised the possibility that Judge Garaufis could treat whatever charges are in the superseding indictment as a separate matter – and hold a second trial just on them. The judge indicated he would do that only if it was “in the interest of justice” – but that he’ll wait to actually see what’s in the superseding indictment before considering any such action.
Meanwhile, the judge also laid out how the jury selection process will work – which is another indication that he’s planning for the trial to start, as currently scheduled, on April 29th.
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So, what does all this mean?
First and foremost, at least some of the current defendants – Keith Raniere, Clare Bronfman, Allison Mack, Nancy Salzman, Lauren Salzman, and Kathy Russell – are definitely going to be facing some new charges.
Whether there will also be some new defendants named in the superseding indictment is an open question at this time – but it’s hard to see how the attorneys for any new defendants could be ready for an April 29th start date if the superseding indictment isn’t served until mid-March.
There will undoubtedly be a slew of new motions by the defense attorneys – especially on the question of what evidence the prosecution can use at the trial.
But Judge Garaufis has made it clear that he wants to keep the trial on track – and that unless the superseding indictment makes it impossible for the defense attorneys to prepare in time, the trial will start on April 29th.
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A couple of side-notes:
– Raniere is rapidly deteriorating physically – and it appears that one of his fellow inmates may have stolen his glasses again because he looked like Mr. Magoo as he squinted throughout the proceeding without any glasses on today. He was clean-shaven. His skin appeared extremely red.
Throughout the hearing, Raniere was staring at his ex-girlfriend Toni Natalie seated in the back of the courtroom.
More on Raniere – and an update on what’s going on with him at MDC – sometime in the next few days.
– The rest of the co-defendants all appeared very friendly with another with lots of hugs and air kisses all around. Apparently, all the rats are going down on this ship together.
– The judge noted that celebrity attorney Mark Geragos had requested permission to join Clare Bronfman’s defense team – and gave the prosecution until Friday to raise any objections it may have about him representing Clare while his daughter, Teny Geragos, serves as one of Raniere’s defense attorneys. Daddy Geragos strutted into the proceeding in his blue sharkskin suit – and preened for the media outside the courthouse.
– Later today, Allison Mack, who was dressed in a black floral outfit, with her hair pulled back in a bun, will have her Curcio hearing. If it’s open to the public, we’ll have a report on what happened at it sometime later.
The next court hearing has been scheduled for March 18.
By that time or perhaps on that date we will see the superseding indictment released.
– The rest of the co-defendants all appeared very friendly with another with lots of hugs and air kisses all around. Apparently, all the rats are going down on this ship together.
Who orchestrated this asinine spectacle of air kisses. and hugs?
Clare Bronfman? No way, Jose.
Nancy Salzman?
The reincarnation of Hitler?
The ice cold Lauren Salzman?
Forget about it.
Only one of the defendants could have organized this clownish farce of air kisses and hugs.
The wicked Allison Mack.
ShadowState One must be seriously suffering from a genetically determined condition impairing their sense of reality, to put on the airy fairy atmosphere. Probably the same absent mindedness that had prompted the monstrosities of years gone by! Don’t know whether to smile or feel contempt at the scene.
Thank you for the update, Krclaviger. Very informative. I am sure KAR is attempting to evoke sympathy from everyone with his squinting. Look at poor little ol me, I couldn’t hurt anyone, I can’t even see!
Somebody: Such an incisive sense of observation you have, such depth of vision! I like! (as Borat would say)
Thanks as always for the great commentary Krclaviger!
Anyone check if the judge ever took NXIVM classes ? This is all like those bad network TV movies that were on in the 70s. All found not guilty and Keith goes on to be governor of NY or centers open in every major city. Yikes!
Things are getting very interesting… Can’t wait to find out what will be in the superseding indictment. BTW, could Vanguard’s tomato face be due to a reaction to the hair dye? You should always do a strand test. ?
Pyriel An adverse reaction to either the hair dye or the lubricant used too often for his liking – irrespective of his liking!!!! :-)))
It’s being reported that there will be indictments against..Justin Trudeau which will also bring down Obama….I couldn’t be happier. A man on twitter has a very interesting thread on Trudeau you can read it here: https://twitter.com/realJeffreyP/status/1101094392805421056
Several years ago, rumors romantically linked Bill Clinton to a Canadian woman, Belinda Stronach, who is the heiress to an autoparts company. Stronach was also a Canadian Member of Parliament.
Clinton was also linked to Belinda Stronach, a divorced Canadian heiress and divorced neighbor Julie Tauber McMahon, dubbed ‘the energizer’
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3793018/How-talk-Bill-Clinton-s-post-presidency-cheating-Canadian-heiress-divorced-neighbor-actress-Gina-Gershon-led-Hillary-s-decision-use-randy-husband-sparingly-campaign.html
Funny to see Bill affiliate himself yet again, with people of great material wealth. Him and Hillary have always made a point of living more frugally than the Dalai Lama! :-)))
The “A man on twitter” was on my radio show recently: http://www.buildingfortunesradio.com/scott-johnson-peter-mingils/scott-johnson-invites-que-pasa-founder-jeffrey-peterson-to-talk-about-mlm-nxivm-connection-and-lawsuits-on-building-fortunes-radio-with-cohost-peter-mingils-2327
Thanks for another great update.
Great report krclaviger
Sounds like Clare Bear is feeling the bite of justice yp her ass and needs another lawyer to help defend her from her evil deeds.
Little Lord KAR seems too busy eating to use his technology to fix his eyesight. How many months should it take?
Air kisses is equal to orange is the new black. What fools, they believe they are going to win their case. They won’t get to take their sashes to prison.
El Chapo part 2… Or ‘El Cheapo’ as the Daily Mail called Clarebear
GUILTY ON ALL COUNTS!!!
Sashes to ashes and lust to dust…
That’s too bad, because sashes would make great nooses.
You’re funny tex2! :-)))
See? At least I know the difference between “Knowing your shit and knowing you’re shit!” :-))