Clinton campaign lawyer Michael Sussmann found not guilty of lying to FBI, in blow to Durham investigation

One juror advised CNN that the jury did not initially agree on a verdict once they received the case on Friday afternoon. But over the course of deliberations, the juror stated, all 12 jurors agreed that Durham’s staff did not meet the 5 authorized necessities wanted to discover Sussmann guilty.

Sussmann’s legal professionals repeatedly harped on the “materiality” factor, which required prosecutors to show that Sussmann’s alleged lie was related sufficient to doubtlessly affect the FBI’s work.

Four extra jurors declined to remark in regards to the verdict.

There was an audible sigh of reduction from Sussmann’s household after the jury foreperson introduced the not-guilty verdict. After exiting the courtroom, Sussmann’s spouse, Dr. Apple Sussmann, stated, “holy cow, that was nerve racking.” Durham lingered in the courtroom for a couple of minutes after it was principally emptied out.

“This is a case of extraordinary prosecutorial overreach,” protection attorneys Sean Berkowitz and Michael Bosworth stated in a press release. “And we consider that at this time’s verdict sends an unmistakable message to anybody who cares to hear: politics is not any substitute for proof, and politics has no place in our system of justice.”

Sussmann spoke to the press exterior the courthouse and thanked the jury, and stated he was keen to transfer on from this ordeal and return to his work as a cybersecurity lawyer.

“I advised the reality to the FBI, and the jury clearly acknowledged that with their unanimous verdict at this time,” Sussmann stated. “…Despite being falsely accused, I’m relieved that justice in the end prevailed in my case.”

Durham stated in a press release that he was “dissatisfied” with the decision.

“While we’re dissatisfied in the end result, we respect the jury’s determination and thank them for his or her service,” Durham stated in a press release. “I additionally need to acknowledge and thank the investigators and the prosecution staff for his or her devoted efforts in in search of reality and justice in this case.”

Durham investigation takes successful

So far, Durham’s work has solely led to one conviction: the guilty plea of a junior FBI lawyer who was concerned in a wiretapping warrant for a former Trump 2016 campaign adviser. Durham additionally charged a Russian expat tied to the notorious Steele file, whose trial is slated for October.

The Sussmann case was the primary main courtroom take a look at for Durham, and the acquittal might bolster Durham’s critics, who consider he is working a politicized probe into flimsy theories.

This story has been up to date with extra particulars.