An extraordinarily embarrassing case for the line prosecutors forced to pursue it, who spent two weeks getting yelled at from the bench over missing/incomplete evidence and evasive witnesses -- including at least one whose testimony was flatly contradicted by video evidence.

NOW: Three grand juries declined to indict Sidney Reid, and today a petit jury came to the same conclusion in less than 2 hours -- finding her NOT GUILTY of assaulting an FBI agent during an ICE arrest. (via @sophrosenthal)

Both sides agree the new videos don't do much for either the defense or prosecution. But Judge Sooknanan was unimpressed with prosecutors' explanation for how they videos had been missed for months while sitting on DOC's servers.

NEW: Prosecutors last night turned over previously undisclosed surveillance video in Sidney Reid's case. Before, the govt. had said those cameras weren't operating. "Either your agent lied, or DOC lied, or someone was sloppy," Judge Sooknanan admonished.

UPDATE: Judge Ana Reyes has set an April 12, 2027, trial date for the first wrongful death lawsuit filed in connection with the Flight 5342 disaster.

NEW: James Comey's attorneys say they plan to file their motion to disqualify interim U.S. Attorney Lindsey Halligan as unlawfully appointed on Monday. As in similar challenges in New Jersey and Nevada, an out-of-district judge will be tapped to decide that.

Judge Paula Xinis to DOJ's Drew Ensign: "While I'm writing, if I don't get a yes [that admin is willing to deport to Costa Rica] then I'll take it as a no. Because you're on notice now."

Rossman says govt. isn't acting in good faith. Points out previous witness said third-country designation would be made by ICE desk agent: “We’re now hearing that that determination is being made by the Homeland Security Council with the input of the White House.”

Rossman says if the government won't explain why they won't send Abrego Garcia to Costa Rica, especially in the face of three African countries saying no: "I think the only logical inference to draw is that they are using detention as a means of punishment.”

Abrego Garcia attorney Andrew Rossman: “100%, is my understanding. Mr. Abrego Garcia is prepared to go to Costa Rica if that’s where the government decides to send him.”

MORE: Attorneys for Kilmar Abrego Garcia say affirmatively if DHS decided to remove him to Costa Rica tomorrow he would go. That the Trump administration isn't trying to deport him there, they say, shows they're trying to punish him.

NEW: A senior ICE official testified today the WH Homeland Security Council — and not the State Department — informed him Uganda was the deportation target for Abrego Garcia. DOJ then asserted presidential privilege over any other details about the call.

Schultz says he believes the third-country destination was changed from Uganda to Eswatini because Uganda said no. He was told that Abrego Garcia's name was submitted to Eswatini on Wednesday. Eswatini has also said no.

The DOJ has just asserted presidential communications privilege over details of a phone call between a White House Homeland Security Council staff member and Schultz about the selection of Uganda. After a sidebar, Judge Paula Xinis agrees the privilege applies.

BREAKING: Following OMB Director Russ Vought's tweet today announcing RIFs, AFGE has filed an emergency motion seeking a TRO. They argue the RIFs violate the Antideficiency Act by requiring unlawful work during a government shutdown. Link: https://t.co/Rz36jD2oHr

Schultz testifies that ICE does not pick the countries for third-country removal -- that's done by the State Dept. In Abrego Garcia's case, though, he says he was notified by the Homeland Security Council (which operates out of the White House) that Uganda had been selected.

Schultz says he's "not actively" involved in the Abrego Garcia case. Says the officer assigned the El Salvador docket would be in charge of the case, but isn't sure who that is.

Schultz also says ICE has considered Ghana as a third-country destination, although Ghana's foreign minister has already publicly announced the country won't take Abrego Garcia.

During an evidentiary hearing now for Kilmar Abrego Garcia, ICE Deputy Asst. Director for Removal Management John Schultz says Eswatini hasn't yet agreed to take him: “We’ve had initial conversations with Eswatini and we haven’t gotten to a ‘yes’ but discussions are continuing.”

Ben Schrader, who had been criminal division chief for the U.S Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Tennessee, posted this on LinkedIn following his resignation in June. As chief, Schrader would have had to sign off on any prosecution of Abrego Garcia the office filed.