Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images(ALEXANDRIA, Va) — Attorneys for Paul Manafort, the former Trump campaign chairman who is on trial for financial crimes in federal district court Alexandria, Virginia, will not call additional witnesses to present a defense.
“The defense rests,” Manafort’s lead attorney Kevin Downing said in court on Tuesday.
Government prosecutors from Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s office rested their case on Monday, so without a defense, the jury is expected to begin deliberations following closing arguments.
Legal experts told ABC News this strategy is common but risky.
“This is very common after prosecution rests to file a motion saying they didn’t meet the burden beyond a reasonable doubt,” said former homeland security official and ABC New contributor John Cohen. “Typically, this doesn’t work.”
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
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