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As Sam Bankman-Fried’s trial approaches its ultimate innings, the query of how he’ll mount his protection hangs over the proceedings.
On Thursday, prosecutors will end their case towards Bankman-Fried — which incorporates seven expenses associated to fraud and cash laundering — and the defendant’s workforce can be given the chance to make a case.
Throughout a teleconference on Wednesday, Mark Cohen, Bankman-Fried’s lead legal professional, stated that the protection has three potential witnesses. He additionally stated, “Our shopper can be testifying.”
Cohen stated he expects Bankman-Fried’s testimony to be the identical size as that of his former colleagues, who pleaded responsible: FTX co-founder and CTO Gary Wang, Alameda CEO Caroline Ellison, and FTX head of engineering Nishad Singh. He additionally stated that it’s going to take a “good a part of Thursday, possibly all of Thursday,” with potential for Friday cross-examination.
Assistant U.S. attorneys Nicolas Roos stated if the defendant testifies, which Cohen indicated he’s, and relying on what Bankman-Fried says, a Monday closing for the trial “could now not be sensible.”
“We’re within the final innings, and, to modify metaphors, that is his Hail Mary,” stated Josh Naftalis, a former federal prosecutor who’s now a associate at Pallas Companions. He predicted earlier this week on TechCrunch’s Chain Reaction podcast that Bankman-Fried would testify.
Whereas he was working within the Southern District of New York, Naftalis secured convictions in each federal prison trial that he led as an assistant U.S. legal professional. Primarily based on that have, Naftalis stated that Bankman-Fried is up towards robust proof, three cooperating witnesses and particulars of how billions of {dollars} flowed by companies he managed. “That is his alternative to say, ‘I didn’t intend to do something flawed. I didn’t act in unhealthy religion. I used to be appearing in good religion, issues simply received uncontrolled,’ and it’s actually laborious for any defendant to clarify to a jury what’s in his head until they take a stand,” Naftalis stated.
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