Trial of FTX Co-Founder SBF Unveils Juror Crypto Losses on Day One of Voir Dire
On the first day of the trial involving jury selection and voir dire questioning, Sam Bankman-Fried (SBF), the co-founder of the insolvent cryptocurrency exchange FTX, appeared in court accompanied by his legal counsel. The process continued into the next day as U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan eliminated several potential jurors.
Jurors Discuss Crypto Losses
During Tuesday’s hearing, it was revealed that some prospective jurors mentioned their financial losses in cryptocurrencies. One individual mentioned that their company had invested in FTX and Alameda Research and suffered losses. Another person stated that their fiancé had lost money investing in crypto assets. Additionally, a third person worked for Signature Bank, which financed FTX transactions.
Instructions for Jurors
Judge Kaplan instructed the jurors not to conduct any external research or post about the case online. He acknowledged that some of them may have heard about the case before. Opening statements are expected to begin on Monday, October 9, 2023. During the hearing, SBF was seen using a court-provided laptop.
Juror Concerns
One potential juror expressed concern about the case potentially involving the death penalty and stated that they could not participate if such a severe punishment was possible. However, Judge Kaplan assured them that the death penalty would not be applicable in this particular legal matter. Out of over 70 prospective jurors, approximately 50 candidates remain for finalizing the selection of 12 jurors and six alternates.
Hot Take: SBF Trial Begins with Jurors Sharing Crypto Losses
The trial of FTX co-founder Sam Bankman-Fried kicked off with jury selection and voir dire, revealing that some potential jurors had experienced financial losses in the world of cryptocurrencies. This raises questions about how their personal experiences may impact their perception of the case. As the trial progresses, it will be interesting to see how these juror backgrounds and biases come into play. Will they sympathize with SBF’s situation or hold him accountable for their losses? The outcome of this trial could potentially have implications for future crypto-related legal proceedings.
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