(PatriotWise.com)- After the prosecution rested its case in podcaster Steve Bannon’s contempt of Congress trial on Wednesday, Bannon’s attorney Evan Corcoran told US District Judge Carl Nichols that instead of launching a defense, he would ask the judge to dismiss the criminal charges.
But hail Mary didn’t happen. The charges against Bannon weren’t dismissed and both sides presented their closing arguments on Friday.
Then after less than three hours of deliberation, the jury convicted Bannon of two counts of contempt of Congress.
The guilty verdicts were a foregone conclusion. DC juries are notorious for convicting Republicans while acquitting Democrats. And since Bannon isn’t a Democrat, there was no chance this jury would acquit him.
Bannon will be sentenced in late October/early November. He now faces between 60 days and two years behind bars plus fines.
On Thursday, Bannon’s defense opted against mounting a defense or calling any witnesses, including Bannon himself.
During his closing arguments, Evan Corcoran continued to make the case that the January 6 committee’s subpoena deadlines were only placeholders as lawyers from both sides negotiated the final terms of cooperation. Corcoran accused the select committee of a rush to judgment, claiming the contempt charge was designed to “make an example of Steve Bannon.”
After the verdict, Bannon spoke with reporters outside of the courthouse, saying he respected the jury’s verdict, but planned to appeal.
The podcaster reaffirmed his support for former President Trump “and the Constitution,” and vowed that he would “never back off.”
Bannon thanked the court officers and the jury for participating in his trial, but blasted the partisan select committee, calling them “gutless” for refusing to “come down here and testify.”
Bannon’s other attorney, David Schoen, expressed confidence that the conviction would be reversed on appeal, telling reporters their appeal was “bulletproof.”
On Friday evening, Bannon appeared on “Tucker Carlson Tonight” where he reiterated that he would “never back off.” He told Carlson that if he goes to jail, “so be it.”
Watch Bannon’s interview with Tucker Carlson HERE.
