Attorneys for former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried, also known as SBF, have reportedly not requested a different trial date for preparation, but a federal judge has provided a limited timeframe to do so.
According to an August 30 thread on X (previously Twitter) by Inner City Press, Judge Lewis Kaplan stated that the deadline to request a jury based on Bankman-Fried’s trial commencement date was September 7. SBF’s attorneys reportedly indicated they “opted for an aggressive date” for the former FTX CEO to have the chance to vindicate himself but did not completely dismiss the possibility of asking for additional preparation time due to alleged difficulties in accessing discovery materials.
Kaplan, as per the thread, stated, “If the defendant believes a postponement is necessary, they can request it. I’m not implying I would definitely approve it. They would need to show a requirement — not just list the number of documents. There must be more substance to those arguments.” The August 30 hearing centred on motions from SBF’s legal team for the temporary release of the former FTX CEO to get ready for his October 3 criminal trial.
Kaplan had revoked Bankman-Fried’s bail on August 11, resulting in his detention at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. His attorneys have contended that the irregular access to the internet and case-related documents was insufficient for trial preparation. “Bankman-Fried can review discovery 70 hours weekly,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Danielle Sassoon reportedly stated. “His lawyers can visit him every day of the week. This is not a self-represented defendant — he has numerous attorneys and experts, who work non-stop.”
Kaplan indicated he would consider motions from SBF’s defence team and the prosecutors by September 1 and make a decision by the next week — September 4, Labor Day, is a public holiday in the United States. These submissions included Bankman-Fried’s defence approach of contending he primarily acted “in good faith” based on previous legal advice concerning his alleged activities at FTX and Alameda Research.
Bankman-Fried is facing 12 criminal charges, which will be divided over two trials set to start on October 2, 2023, and March 11, 2024. He has entered a not guilty plea for all charges.
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