Long-time Donald Trump adviser Roger Stone takes ill during jury selection for trial
- Looking pale and sick, the self-described ‘dirty trickster’ was excused from court after telling judge he had food poisoning
- Stone faces charges arising from the investigation that documented Russian interference in the 2016 US election
The 67-year-old veteran Republican political operative – a self-described “dirty trickster” and “agent provocateur” – has pleaded not guilty to charges of obstructing justice, witness tampering and lying to the US House of Representatives Intelligence Committee.
Stone appeared ill during the proceedings in which jurors were being chosen from a pool of about 80 people. He cradled his forehead in his hands, had a sweaty brow, leaned on his wife while walking and left the proceedings at midday, telling US District Judge Amy Berman Jackson that he had food poisoning.
“I want to apologise to the court. I don’t want to waste the court’s time,” Stone told Jackson, as he waived his right to participate in the jury selection process. “I hope to be better tomorrow.”
“I will excuse you. I hope you get rest,” Jackson told him.