Judge having a hearing today. Fascinating to watch it play out because its so absurd for so many reasons
1. If you read the new brief filed by the DOJ after Barr stepped in, its child-like and definitely not the norm for the DOJ. In essence, it says the prior sentencing memo is "technically" right, but "he didn't mean it" and "he's old."
https://www.cnn.com/2020/02/11/politics/roger-stone-sentencing-memo-updated/index.html
2. The "he didn't mean it" is regarding his WORST conviction, which was witness intimidation that included a DEATH THREAT, but the object of the threat, Credico, has already come out and said he didn't actually feel threatened, which was about the best thing Stone could hope for.
3. The DOJ memo was always JUST a recommendation, the judge makes the call after reading THREE different briefs and the law. This only strengthens the case that Barr was playing to Trump. He could've just back channeled that the DOJ would accept a much lower number.
4. The nonsense arguably hurts Stone because it backs the Judge into a corner and she could just as easily throw the book at him now. Scooter Libby got 30 months (I think) with no witness tampering, the Samoan guy tampered with a witness by suborning perjury and got 39 months. Stone's guideline is so high because of the VIOLENT intimidation of a witness and conviction on 7 different charges and his complete refusal to follow court orders etc. Still, he was probably only going to get 4 years or so anyway.
The reason you know Trump was behind it is that its all so idiotic. Barr is no fool. The damage to the DOJ has been immeasurable for almost no good reason other than an impetuous Boy King. This kind of nonsense comes from Trump because he's fired every responsible person around him