Judge abruptly ends day's testimony in Marilyn Mosby fraud trial; ex-husband shows up "to support my family"
BALTIMORE -- Marilyn Mosby walked out of court without comment after the prosecution rested its mortgage fraud case against her.
The judge abruptly ended proceedings Wednesday without explanation after a single defense witness testified: A postal worker who said she did not personally deliver any mail to Mosby, which would include many IRS delinquent tax notices Mosby alleges she never received.
The court made new evidence publicly available, including mortgage documents where the former top Baltimore City prosecutor checked "no" to the question of whether she had any delinquent federal debts and "yes" that one of her Florida vacation homes was her primary residence. You can access the documents here.
Prosecutors said both statements were lies.
Newly released documents include a signed letter for a $5,000 gift Nick Mosby gave to Marilyn, which prosecutors said was not a gift at all. They allege Marilyn funded it through her own account and lied about shifting money around to close on one of her vacation properties.
The court just publicly added evidence online including texts, the chart showing a $5k gift from Nick to Marilyn Mosby, texts, and the document where Marilyn Mosby ✅ no to having a tax lien and yes that one of the Florida properties was her primary home. @wjz pic.twitter.com/ch8Z3HM7Ue
— Mike Hellgren (@HellgrenWJZ) January 24, 2024
Nick Mosby could be the star defense witness. He showed up at court Wednesday afternoon.
She has repeatedly blamed him for the tax debts.
BREAKING: Baltimore City Council President Nick Mosby has arrived at court. He would not say if he will testify in his ex-wife’s trial. @wjz pic.twitter.com/HgDQDUuTNr
— Mike Hellgren (@HellgrenWJZ) January 24, 2024
But the Baltimore City Council President never got a chance take the witness stand when court dismissed early under a shroud of secrecy.
The judge abruptly ended proceedings after a closed-door meeting. In court, Mosby's defense team insisted whatever happened was "not their fault."
Without naming Nick Mosby, public defender Jim Wyda said he "had a witness here and ready to testify."
When WJZ Investigator Mike Hellgren asked Nick Mosby whether he would take the stand, he said he was "here to support his family."
When I asked Nick Mosby whether he would testify, the Baltimore City Council President said I’d have to ask the government and that he was “here to support his family.” @wjz pic.twitter.com/cQWklBpuJB
— Mike Hellgren (@HellgrenWJZ) January 24, 2024
Defense attorneys declined to comment when leaving court.
Maryland law professor Doug Colbert was in the courtroom when the court dismissed jurors early and cut off any further testimony until Thursday.
"I haven't seen this scenario before," Colbert said. "But there are good reasons for what the judge is doing, and the judge doesn't want to share those reasons at this point because there are pending motions. Everything would be mere speculation on everyone's part."
The judge has yet to rule on a motion to acquit Mosby the defense filed Wednesday. In it, Mosby's attorneys said her alleged crimes happened outside of Maryland and the charges should be thrown out.
Prosecutors called the motion "meritless."
Judge did not rule on motion to acquit. First defense witness is Kelli Mabrey. She’s a postal worker who delivered Mosby’s mail on Bolton St. She says she hand delivered some mail to Nick Mosby but not Marilyn. Mosby has argued she never knew about delinquent IRS notices. @wjz
— Mike Hellgren (@HellgrenWJZ) January 24, 2024
Also Wednesday, one juror had to be replaced with an alternate after a family emergency. There were no objections from the prosecution or defense.
Court began half an hour late today in Marilyn Mosby’s trial. The judge says a juror—juror number 12—had a family emergency and had to be replaced by the first alternate. No objection from the prosecution or the defense. @wjz
— Mike Hellgren (@HellgrenWJZ) January 24, 2024
Court resumes Thursday morning.
Stay with WJZ and CBS News Baltimore for updates.
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