No Pretrial Jail Release for Sam Bankman-Fried
The US Judge overseeing Sam Bankman-Fried’s case has denied his repeated requests for temporary release from jail ahead of his upcoming trial. Bankman-Fried, the former CEO of FTX, maintains his not-guilty plea to all charges. The judge ruled that he did not provide sufficient arguments for a pretrial release.
The judge dismissed Bankman-Fried’s claim of limited internet access in prison, stating that he had “extensive access” after his initial release on bail. Bankman-Fried’s lawyers had previously stated that he had limited access to an internet-enabled laptop, but the judge noted that he did not provide specific details about materials he couldn’t access and how it would impede his defense.
The judge also mentioned that Bankman-Fried’s legal team could provide necessary materials on hard drives for review in the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC). He emphasized that defendants do not have the right to review every piece of discovery.
Time Running Out for Sam Bankman-Fried?
With three weeks remaining until Bankman-Fried’s trial, this ruling means he will remain in jail until October. However, his legal team can still make further requests for pretrial release if they present more compelling evidence. The US government has released proposed questions for prospective jurors, including inquiries about their investments with the collapsed exchange and their knowledge or dealings with FTX, Alameda Research, and associated entities.
Hot Take: Will Bankman-Fried Get a Fair Trial?
Sam Bankman-Fried’s request for pretrial jail release has been denied by a US Judge, meaning he will remain incarcerated until his trial in October. While the judge dismissed Bankman-Fried’s claims of limited internet access, he left the door open for a future application if presented with more compelling evidence. As the trial approaches, it remains to be seen if Bankman-Fried will receive a fair trial and if his defense team can adequately prepare under the current circumstances.
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