FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried's Defense Considers Trial Date Change Amid Access Concerns
Summary:
Lawyers representing former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried have not requested a different trial date, but a federal judge has allowed a limited window for such a request. Bankman-Fried's legal team may seek more time to prepare due to alleged issues with access to discovery materials. The judge has emphasized the need to demonstrate a legitimate need for a postponement. Bankman-Fried is facing criminal charges and his trial is scheduled to begin on Oct. 3.
Lawyers representing former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried, or SBF, have not requested a different trial date to prepare, but a federal judge has given them a limited opportunity to do so. Judge Lewis Kaplan has set a deadline of Sept. 7 for requesting a jury based on Bankman-Fried's trial start date. SBF's lawyers have stated that they chose an aggressive date for trial, but have not ruled out requesting more time due to alleged issues with access to discovery materials. Kaplan has stated that if SBF wishes to postpone, they must demonstrate a need beyond simply the volume of documents.
During the Aug. 30 hearing, the focus was on motions from SBF's lawyers seeking temporary release for him to prepare for his Oct. 3 trial. Bankman-Fried's bail was revoked on Aug. 11, leading to his remand at the Metropolitan Detention Center. His legal team has argued that the lack of consistent internet access and access to case-related documents hampers trial preparation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Danielle Sassoon argued that Bankman-Fried has ample time to review discovery and that his lawyers can visit him regularly for preparation.
Kaplan has stated that he will accept motions from both the defense team and prosecutors by Sept. 1 and make a ruling by the following week. However, Sept. 4 is a national holiday in the United States. These filings will include Bankman-Fried's defense strategy, which asserts that he largely acted in good faith based on advice from previous counsel regarding his alleged actions at FTX and Alameda Research.
Bankman-Fried is facing 12 criminal charges, split between two trials set to commence on Oct. 2, 2023, and March 11, 2024. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Published At
8/30/2023 7:00:00 PM
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