Judge Nicholas G. Garaufis has denied the defense’s motion for a mistrial in the case of the U.S. v. Raniere. As a result, the trial will resume today.
The mistrial motion was based on the fact that certain witnesses in the trial – those who are deemed to be Keith Raniere’s victims – will only be addressed in the courtroom by their first names.
Other witnesses, however, will be addressed by their full names.
Marc Agnifilo, Raniere’s lead attorney, argued that the bifurcated system makes it appear that Raniere is guilty because it makes a distinction between alleged “victims” and other witnesses.
Agnifilo also said that the ruling will force him to adapt the way he will present the defense’s case. “It is repugnant to my theory of the case”, he said.