The court gave curative instructions during defense closing and before government rebuttal; closings concluded, with final instructions and deliberations scheduled for Monday.
Full day summary
Defense counsel completed closing argument by arguing that the government had not proved the charged racketeering, sex-trafficking, transportation-for-prostitution, and related theories. Counsel acknowledged domestic violence while disputing the government’s account of the relationships, the alleged enterprise, and several episodes and records. During defense closing, the court instructed jurors to disregard comments about prosecutors' charging decisions. After defense closing and before government rebuttal, it directed jurors to consider only whether the government proved each charged element beyond a reasonable doubt, rather than investigation or indictment decisions. The government then delivered rebuttal closing argument, addressing the defense’s interpretations of the evidence and urging conviction. The jury was excused for the weekend; final instructions and deliberations were scheduled for Monday morning.