Thanks EddyTeddyFreddy. It looks like the trial is in New York. I loved BobLibDem’s exasperated line from last Sept 23 about Mendendez having cookie crumbs all over himself; I hope the jury can see that.
All right, they’re going through the jury pool to pick good ones. I hope it doesn’t seem I’m obsessing. It basically stems from thirty year long disgust with corrupt local politicians. I know of course Trump’s hush-money trial is page one.
per cnn:
the jury is set, trial ready to go.
starter gun noise “And they’re off!”
It’s funny how fast the system can move when the defendant is not named Trump.
sen. menendez and his wife will be tried separately.
No shit! Indicted to trial in 8 months. I wish justice moved so quickly elsewhere.
Well, Senator Menendez wants to get this trial over with ASAP so he can run for reelection without it hanging over his head this fall - assuming, of course, that he can beat the rap. If he can’t it doesn’t make much difference either way.
Trump, on the other hand, wants to delay as much of his legal troubles for as long as possible so that he can make them all go away when he assumes the Presidency next January. He knows that having charges hanging over his head won’t make a bit of difference to his electability, so for him beating the rap means avoiding the trials for as long as possible.
He’s not running, or at least he says he’s not.
I think this case is a lot easier than Trump’s NY one --Trump’s is pretty marginal, so the DA there has to really dot all Is and cross all Ts. Also, senators have been indicted and convicted lots of times, but Trump is number 1. (Although, fun fact, the average ex-president has actually faced two criminal charges)
He’s not running in the Democratic primary, but he’s left open the possibility of running as an independent.
Man that’s a lot of stress and exhaustion for Mrs. Menendez. It’s good thing they delayed her trial.
He’s a great guy. He’s announcing her cancer diagnosis and blaming her for the charges at the same time.
Hey, he could be announcing his divorce from her at the same time, right? What an upstanding and loyal public servant!
Gingrich/Menendez Venn diagram
Well, if she’s going to die anyway…
/s
The judge in Menendez’ case has ruled that evidence the prosecution describes as critical to their case cannot be used because it’s protected by the Speech or Debate Clause of the Constitution.
I swear God looks after fools, children and Bob Menendez.
Judge rules Menendez’s prosecutors can’t show ‘critical’ evidence - POLITICO
Menedez probably has kompromat on God 
.
Given the legal corruption allowed under that ruling I’m not very confident of a conviction. On the other hand I’m sure the feds were aware of the precedent and had to expect it. They did have a lot of other evidence. I do see the possibility of him getting off scot-free and his wife getting convicted.
Oh and he’s running as an independent.
In another state an acquitted Menendez running as an independent might be an issue for Democrats. I don’t think that would be the case. Andy Kim is popular. The Republicans will be picking a no-name (today is the primary). Even if Trump’s choice gets the nomination I don’t think Menendez can siphon off enough votes from Kim to matter.