Lawyers for Sam Bankman-Fried Seek to Block Ukrainian Customer Testimony
Lawyers representing Sam Bankman-Fried, the founder of the failed crypto exchange, are attempting to prevent a Ukrainian customer from testifying at his trial. They argue that such testimony would only serve to evoke sympathy and outrage from the jury.
In a letter submitted to the court, Bankman-Fried’s attorneys responded to the Department of Justice’s request to allow a remote testimony from an FTX customer in Ukraine, urging that it be denied. The lawyers claimed that the proposed testimony would refer to hardships caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Bankman-Fried’s counsel invoked the Sixth Amendment’s Confrontation Clause, asserting his right to face his accusers in court. They argued that the preference for face-to-face testimony is reflected in this clause.
DOJ Requests Remote Testimony for Ukrainian Witness
The Department of Justice (DOJ) had previously requested permission for a Ukrainian witness to testify remotely due to unique circumstances that hinder international travel. The witness, a young male who lost a significant portion of his life savings during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, is located in Ukraine.
The DOJ emphasized that FTX’s popularity and global user base are not in dispute. They believe that testimony from various FTX customers with diverse backgrounds and motivations would demonstrate the extent of FTX’s influence on the cryptocurrency community.
Seeking Clarity on Court Rulings
Additionally, Bankman-Fried’s legal team filed a letter seeking clarification on previous court rulings. They requested clarity regarding arguments related to FTX’s regulation within the United States and compliance with regulations by FTX.US.
The defense also sought confirmation on whether Bankman-Fried can present evidence of his charitable giving and philanthropy as well as evidence concerning asset recovery in FTX’s bankruptcy proceedings. Furthermore, they requested clarification on the court’s decision to admit evidence related to an alleged illegal campaign finance scheme.
Hot Take: Bankman-Fried’s Trial Begins with Jury Selection
Sam Bankman-Fried’s trial is scheduled to commence on Tuesday, starting with the selection of the jury. The defense team has been actively challenging various aspects of the case, including attempts to block testimony from a Ukrainian customer and seeking clarification on previous court rulings. As the trial progresses, it remains to be seen how these legal maneuvers will impact the outcome and whether Bankman-Fried’s defense strategy will prove successful.
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