As Sam Bankman-Fried’s trial for seven expenses associated to fraud and cash laundering approaches its closing innings, the query of how he’ll mount his protection hangs over the proceedings.
On Thursday, prosecutors will end their case towards Bankman-Fried and the defendant’s workforce will likely be given the chance to make a case.
Throughout a teleconference on Wednesday, Mark Cohen, Bankman-Fried’s lead legal professional, stated that the protection has three potential witnesses. He additionally stated: “Our consumer will likely be testifying.”
Cohen stated he expects Bankman-Fried’s testimony to be the identical size as that of his former colleagues who pleaded responsible: FTX co-founder and CTO Gary Wang, Alameda CEO Caroline Ellison, and FTX head of engineering Nishad Singh. And that it’ll take a “good a part of Thursday, possibly all of Thursday,” with potential for Friday cross-examination.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nicolas Roos stated if the defendant testifies, which Cohen indicated he’s, and relying on what Bankman-Fried says, a Monday closing for the trial “could not be life like.”
“We’re within the final innings, and, to modify metaphors, that is his Hail Mary,” stated Josh Naftalis, a former federal prosecutor who’s now a accomplice at Pallas Companions. He predicted earlier this week that Bankman-Fried would testify on crypto-news’s Chain Response podcast.
Whereas he was working within the Southern District of New York, Natfalis secured convictions in each federal prison trial that he led as an assistant U.S. legal professional. Primarily based on that have, Naftalis stated that Bankman-Fried is up towards robust proof, three cooperating witnesses and particulars of how billions of {dollars} flowed via firms he managed. “That is his alternative to say, ‘I didn’t intend to do something flawed. I didn’t act in dangerous religion. I used to be appearing in good religion, issues simply bought uncontrolled,’ and it’s actually laborious for any defendant to clarify to a jury what’s in his head until they take a stand,” Naftalis stated.
