The Paul Manafort trial has just begun, but it’s already moving faster than most high profile trials. Manafort is facing 18 counts of conspiracy, bank fraud, and tax evasion. A jury was seated in just a few hours and then opening statements began right after a lunch break.

Politico reports:

“Manafort could be seen in the courtroom exchanging notes and consulting with his lawyers during selection of a jury that will spend roughly the next three weeks hearing evidence and testimony related to bank and tax-fraud charges against the longtime GOP lobbyist and political consultant.

U.S. District Court Judge T.S. Ellis III kept the jury selection process moving – the Eastern District where he presides is well known as the “rocket docket — with frequent nudges to the attorneys to speed up their decisions on who should be struck from the jury. But he also worked to keep the mood light amid more than 20 bench conferences as lawyers for both sides questioned prospective jurors and then haggled over the results.”

The Washington Post has a good timeline of the opening statements. Including this:

“Assistant U.S. Attorney Uzo Asonye began opening statements around 3 p.m. by highlighting what he described as Paul Manafort’s extravagance and indifference to the law.

‘A man in this courtroom believed the law did not apply to him,’ Asonye said. ‘Not tax law, not banking law.'”

CNN’s Joe Johns is at the courthouse and adds:

“The theory here for prosecutors is to describe Paul Manafort, the former campaign chairman, for Donald Trump as a shrewd liar who orchestrated a global scheme they called to avoid paying taxes on millions of dollars. So it is also clear from the prosecution’s opening statements that they do intend, as we expected, to really hit hard on Paul Manafort’s extravagant lifestyle.”

On the flip side NBC talks about how Manafort’s attorney tackled opening statements:

“The defense sought to blame Manafort’s former business partner Rick Gates, portraying him as a star witness who cut a deal to save himself. They also argued that Manafort didn’t ‘willfully’ cheat on his taxes — he relied on employees.

Manafort’s lawyer portrayed him as an esteemed political consultant who helped elect presidents, but no mention of Donald Trump.”

The trial is expected to last 2-3 weeks.