The legal battle surrounding former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried (SBF) took an interesting turn in a series of exchanges that unfolded on Twitter. Lawyers representing SBF declined to request an alternate trial date despite concerns over preparation time. However, Judge Lewis Kaplan, presiding over the case, extended a limited window for such a request.
Judge Kaplan’s discussion, shared by Inner City Press, sheds light on the ongoing legal maneuvering. The discussion primarily revolved around SBF’s complaints concerning the availability of discovery documents, the strength of Internet connectivity during courthouse visits, and his desire to return to Palo Alto.
SBF’s lawyer asserted that the government had charged the case swiftly, resulting in late discovery document deliveries. The defense stressed their client’s limited access to these documents due to his incarceration. In response, Judge Kaplan questioned whether SBF’s team had formally requested additional time, to which the lawyer responded negatively.
The focus then shifted to the case’s specifics, including the code base from FTX and the defense’s expert witnesses. SBF’s lawyer clarified that the code base in question was bespoke, tailored to FTX’s architecture. The defense was also concerned about receiving Slack messages and Google documents from FTX debtors, which the prosecution was working to provide.
Deadline Looms For Trial Date For FTX’s SBF
Judge Kaplan addressed these concerns, indicating he would not preemptively exclude any evidence. He emphasized the need for clear reasoning if the defense sought a trial date extension. The judge revealed that the deadline for requesting a jury for an October 3 trial was approaching, thus urging prompt action if a postponement was desired.
The proceedings also delved into logistical matters, such as SBF’s access to documents and the Internet while in detention. The defense expressed dissatisfaction with the arrangements, pointing to issues with laptop battery life and Internet connectivity.
The prosecution countered that SBF had ample document review and preparation opportunities, both through counsel visits and laptop access. Nevertheless, with these developments, the legal battle surrounding SBF’s trial continues to unfold, with potential implications for the broader cryptocurrency landscape.
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