US Judge Blocks Excerpt from Michael Lewis Book in Sam Bankman-Fried Trial
A US District Judge has prevented the jury in the trial of FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried from hearing an excerpt from a new book by author Michael Lewis. The judge agreed with the prosecution’s objection that the conversation mentioned in the book was prejudicial hearsay and should not be admitted as evidence. The jury will therefore never know what was contained in the conversation. Bankman-Fried is facing multiple charges, including fraud and money laundering, and could potentially be sentenced to 115 years in prison if convicted.
Accusations Against Bankman-Fried
Bankman-Fried is accused of embezzling billions of dollars from his bankrupt exchange, FTX, through his defunct trading firm Alameda Research. He is also accused of lying to lenders, customers, and investors. The conversation in Lewis’s book involves Nishad Singh, the former head of engineering at FTX, who pleaded guilty to crimes related to the collapse of the exchange.
Objection and Ruling
The objection from the prosecution came before Bankman-Fried’s lawyer had a chance to address the chat mentioned in Lewis’s book. Typically, statements made by a defendant who testifies at trial are not considered hearsay. However, because the conversation did not serve to rebut any charges, it was deemed inadmissible. The judge’s ruling suggests that he agreed with the prosecution’s argument that Bankman-Fried’s remarks were manufactured.
The Big Faux
The prosecution also referenced another book called “Number Go Up” by Bloomberg News reporter Zeke Faux during cross-examination. They attempted to use passages from the book to jog Bankman-Fried’s memory and corner him on the witness stand. However, Bankman-Fried claimed not to recall the specific details mentioned in Faux’s book. The exposure of Faux’s book compared to Lewis’s book was noted by media outlets and on Crypto Twitter.
Cross-Examination and Bankman-Fried’s Response
The prosecution also questioned Bankman-Fried about interviews he gave after FTX’s collapse, including statements made to George Stephanopoulos and Andrew Ross Sorkin. Bankman-Fried admitted that he wanted to share his side of the story but later expressed disagreement with how the media portrayed him.
Hot Take: Bankman-Fried’s Fate Hangs in the Balance
The exclusion of an excerpt from Michael Lewis’s book in Sam Bankman-Fried’s trial raises questions about the impact it could have had on the jury’s perception of the case. While the prosecution successfully objected to its admission as evidence, one can’t help but wonder what crucial information may have been contained in that conversation. As the trial continues, Bankman-Fried’s fate hangs in the balance, with potential severe consequences if found guilty. The use of other books and interviews during cross-examination suggests a strategy to challenge Bankman-Fried’s credibility. Ultimately, it will be up to the jury to decide his innocence or guilt.
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