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A4 U.S. NEWS
Friday 21 February 2020

Trump ally Roger Stone sentenced

to over 3 years in prison

By ASHRAF KHALIL, MARK has sparked fears about paign coordinated with
SHERMAN and MICHAEL presidential interference in Russia to tip the 2016 elec-
BALSAMO the justice system. tion.
Associated Press Soon after Judge Amy Ber- He was the sixth Trump aide
WASHINGTON (AP) — Rog- man Jackson pronounced or adviser to be convicted
er Stone, a longtime con- sentence, Trump publicly on charges brought as part
fidant of President Donald decried Stone's conviction of special counsel Robert
Trump, was sentenced as unfair and prominent Mueller's investigation into
to more than three years Republican legislators were possible Russian interfer-
Roger Stone arrives for his sentencing at federal court in Wash- in prison Thursday for ob- giving tacit support for a ence in the 2016 election.
ington, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2020. structing a congressional pardon. But Trump said he At sentencing Thursday,
Associated Press investigation in a case that wasn't ready to act just yet. Jackson grilled federal
"I want the process to prosecutor John Crabb
play out. I think that's the on the department's de-
best thing to do because I cision to replace a tough
would love to see Roger ex- sentencing recommenda-
onerated," he said. "I'm go- tion for Stone with a more
ing to watch the process. lenient one, which had
I'm going to watch very prompted the original pros-
closely. … At some point I'll ecution team to quit the
make a determination." case. Trump had called the
The case was marked by original recommendation
the Justice Department's of seven to nine years a
extraordinary about-face "miscarriage of justice."
on a sentencing recom- Jackson pointedly told
mendation and a very Crabb that he might know
public dispute between less about the case than
Trump and Attorney Gener- anyone in the room.
al William Barr, who said the Jackson said the evidence
president was undermining clearly showed that Stone
the department's historical testified falsely to Congress
independence and mak- and repeatedly pressured
ing "it impossible for me to a potential witness to either
do my job." back up his lie or refuse to
The president responded testify.
by asserting that he was Near the end, Jackson's
the "chief law enforcement voice rose in anger as she
officer of the federal gov- said that Stone's entire de-
ernment." fense strategy seemed
Stone was convicted in No- to amount to "So What?"
vember on all seven counts Stone did not testify and
of an indictment that ac- called no witnesses on his
cused him of lying to Con- behalf.
gress, tampering with a wit- She sentenced Stone to
ness and obstructing the 40 months in prison, plus
House investigation into two years' probation and a
whether the Trump cam- $20,000 fine. q