FTX Founder’s Defense Lawyer Says Case Was Unwinnable
In a surprising interview with Bloomberg, David Mills, the defense lawyer for FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried, admitted that winning the case was nearly impossible. Mills, a Stanford Law professor, stated that even legendary lawyer Clarence Darrow would have struggled to secure an acquittal for Bankman-Fried.
Key Points
- Mills believes Bankman-Fried is innocent but acknowledges his poor performance under cross-examination
- Three FTX executives testified that Bankman-Fried orchestrated the fraud scheme
- Mills is concerned about the impact on his friendship with Bankman-Fried’s parents
Mills revealed that he faced numerous obstacles throughout the trial. Pretrial rulings consistently favored the prosecution, and testimonies from three individuals close to Bankman-Fried implicated him as the mastermind behind the fraudulent activities. Despite believing in Bankman-Fried’s innocence, Mills admitted that convincing the jury was challenging.
Bankman-Fried’s own testimony did not help his case. Mills described it as rambling and unfocused, leading to a disastrous cross-examination. The judge also appeared frustrated with Bankman-Fried’s answers.
Despite knowing that a guilty verdict was likely, Mills felt obligated to defend his friend due to his long-standing relationship with Bankman-Fried’s parents. However, he now worries about the strain this trial has placed on their friendship.
Hot Take: Failed Defense Raises Concerns for Lawyer’s Future Cases
The high-profile trial of FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried has left his defense lawyer David Mills questioning his involvement in similar cases. While Mills provided support to Bankman-Fried during his “dark time,” he expressed doubts about emotionally investing himself in unwinnable cases again. This trial has had a significant impact on Mills, not only in terms of the outcome but also in his personal relationships. Moving forward, Mills vows to be more cautious and selective in the cases he takes on.
By
By
By
By
By