DOJ-OGR-00020860.jpg

10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 Case 22-1426, Document 58_02/28/2023, 3475901, Page34 of 221 3151 LCSCMAXT deliberations. I made clear that they can let ne know through ny deputy if this presents a hardship for anyone. No one has so indicated. I also made clear that they can take all the tine they need. I extended the deliberations by an hour each day because we are seeing an astronomcal spike in the nunber COVID- positive cases in New York City over the last one to two weeks duce to the omcron variant. W are, very simply, at a different place regarding the pandemc than we were only one week ago, and we now face a high and escalating risk that jurors and/or trial participants my need to quarantine, thus disrupting trial and putting at risk our ability to complete this trial. Accordingly, extending deliberations by an hour gives the jury more time each day to continue to engage in its thoughtful deliberations. Vé will take up later in the day howI wll approach the remainder of the week and going forward. I think the same reasoning likely wll lead me to talk to the jury at the end of the day about continuing deliberations until a verdict is reached. I'll hear you on that now or later, as you like. Mek EVERDELL: Your Honor, I don't need to be heard on that issue now. If I could, I understand the Court has overruled the SOUTHERN DI STRICT REPORTERS, P.C. (212) 805-0300 DOJ-OGR-00020860