Good morning trial followers! We are finally here — the last day of closing arguments. Since attorneys for defendants Elmer Stewart Rhodes and Kelly Meggs closed on Friday, today the closing arguments are expected for defendants Thomas Caldwell, Jessica Watkins, and Kenneth Harrelson.
The government is expected to offer its rebuttal case after the closing arguments wrap up and last he mentioned it, Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Nestler said he didn’t expect the rebuttal to be long.
With the court closed on Wednesday, jurors could begin deliberations on Tuesday, take a break over the Thanksgiving holiday, and return to court next week Monday.
The final jury instructions are also live this morning. Some key elements in the instructions revolve around First Amendment speech and how jurors must treat the conspiracy charge.