In the forthcoming criminal trial of former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried, potential jurors may face a unique set of questions aimed at gauging their suitability for the case.
Both Bankman-Fried’s defense team and U.S. prosecutors have submitted lists of proposed questions in court filings on September 11, as the trial, scheduled for October 3, approaches.
Bankman-Fried’s legal team is keen to identify prospective jurors with ties to the cryptocurrency world.
They intend to inquire whether potential jurors have invested in cryptocurrencies and, if so, whether their experience involved financial losses or a negative perception of the crypto industry.
Another query seeks to determine whether a juror would attribute the failure of a crypto firm to its owners, delving into their reasoning behind such beliefs.
Additionally, Bankman-Fried wishes to explore prospective jurors’ views on “effective altruism,” a philosophical movement he has been associated with.
They will also inquire about attitudes toward large donations to political candidates and lobbyists and seek any personal or professional experiences with individuals using ADHD medication.
As part of standard procedure, Bankman-Fried’s legal team plans to ask prospective jurors whether they are familiar with him, have formed an opinion on his guilt or innocence, or have expressed opinions about Bankman-Fried, FTX, or Alameda Research.
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On the other side, U.S. prosecutors have their own set of questions.
They are interested in prospective jurors’ familiarity with FTX and its affiliates, as well as whether they or anyone they know has invested or worked in the cryptocurrency space.
The prosecutors also intend to ask about opinions on the government’s role in regulating the crypto industry and whether jurors have ever suffered financial losses due to fraudulent conduct.
Meanwhile, on September 12, U.S. District Court Judge Lewis Kaplan denied Bankman-Fried’s request for temporary release before the trial, dismissing the argument that a poor prison internet connection warranted his release.
Bankman-Fried has pleaded not guilty to seven fraud-related charges relating to FTX’s collapse in November.
Furthermore, he faces a separate criminal trial on additional charges scheduled for March next year.
In preparation for this high-profile trial, both sides are striving to select a jury that can fairly assess the case’s intricacies while considering potential biases and experiences that may influence their perspectives on crypto, altruism, and related matters.
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