The Department of Justice (DOJ) has confirmed its intention to summon former FTX shoppers, traders and employees as witnesses in the upcoming trial involving Sam Bankman-Fried, the previous FTX CEO.
The DOJ submitted a letter movement in limine on Sept. 30 describing the witnesses it intends to name regarding FTX’s remedy of buyer property.
The testimonies intend to offer views on the interactions between the accused and the witnesses. It additionally goals to get the witnesses’ understanding of Bankman-Fried’s remarks and conduct, significantly concerning FTX’s asset management. The DOJ intends to spotlight the experiences of retail and institutional shoppers who entrusted substantial property to FTX, believing that the platform would safeguard them securely.
Furthermore, a scenario has emerged regarding one of many DOJ’s witnesses, “FTX Customer-1,” who resides in Ukraine. Given the continuing battle in Ukraine, touring to the U.S. to offer testimony is related to difficulties. The DOJ has urged utilizing video conferencing as a viable different. However, Bankman-Fried’s protection has not but authorized this proposal.
Nonetheless, the authorized workforce representing Bankman-Fried, led by lawyer Mark Cohen, has voiced concerns about the jury questions put forth by the DOJ. According to Bankman-Fried’s protection, these interrogations insinuate guilt on Bankman-Fried’s half, doubtlessly undermining the precept of “harmless till confirmed responsible.“
Related: Sam Bankman-Fried’s lawyer challenges US gov’t proposed jury questions
Additionally, the protection contends that these inquiries might not successfully uncover the jurors’ inherent biases, particularly associated to their encounters with cryptocurrencies. Moreover, particular questions may inadvertently information the jury’s perspective as an alternative of eliciting genuine insights, probably compromising the trial’s impartiality.
With the jury choice scheduled to begin on Oct. 3, carefully adopted by the trial, the highlight is on this high-stakes authorized confrontation.
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