Judge Lewis Kaplan, who presided over Sam Bankman-Fried's trial, allowed the US Department of Justice's motion to prevent all prospective witnesses from testifying.
SBF's Witnesses Are Prohibited From Testifying
Judge Lewis Kaplan, who presided over Sam Bankman-Fried's trial, allowed the US Department of Justice's motion to prevent all prospective witnesses from testifying, with the exception of four people who must meet certain legal conditions. The DOJ opposed Bankman-Fried's defense team calling seven witnesses, alleging reasons such as lack of clarity and appropriateness for a US criminal trial.
Meanwhile, a US Court of Appeals dismissed SBF's request to be released from jail prior to his trial. Bankman-Fried's attorneys requested a temporary release so that they could review documents before the trial. The appeals court, on the other hand, stated that there was probable reason to suspect Bankman-Fried tried witness tampering.
After a hearing on Sept. 19 in which the Justice Department and SBF's defense team each got about five minutes to argue for the former FTX CEO's continued detention in jail or early release, respectively, the court has been debating on the topic. On August 11, Judge Kaplan revoked SBF's $250 million bail, at which point the Brooklyn Metropolitan Detention Center was given custody of him.
Bankman-Fried's first criminal trial is set to start on October 3 — less than two weeks from now — and the appellate court decision was probably one of his final opportunities to be set free. In March 2024, his second trial is anticipated to begin.
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