Fallen crypto king Sam Bankman-Fried plans to testify in his own defense at his fraud trial, his lawyer revealed on Wednesday.
Bankman-Fried, 31, is set to take the stand after three defense witnesses testify in Manhattan federal court, her attorney, Mark Cohen, said during a telephone court hearing.
His testimony could come as early as Thursday, as federal prosecutors are expected to rest their case after a weeklong recess.
Lawyer Sam Bankman-Fried has announced the disgraced crypto king plans to testify at his fraud trial.AP
Bankman-Fried in the Federal Court in New York City, US, October 16, 2023REUTERS
Bankman-Fried’s decision to take the stand means she will be exposed to cross-examination by prosecutors.
The move comes after his lawyers appeared to be considering a key decision on whether he should testify – with his legal team telling a judge earlier this month that the disgraced crypto magnate was not getting his prescribed dose of Adderall.
“As we approached the defense case and the critical decision of whether Mr. Bankman-Fried would testify, the defense became increasingly concerned that due to Mr. Bankman-Fried’s lack of access to Adderall, he was unable to concentrate at that level. he normally would and that he would not be able to participate meaningfully in the presentation of the defense case,” Cohen wrote in the Oct. 15 filing.
Bankman-Fried has pleaded not guilty to fraud and conspiracy charges stemming from his alleged theft of more than $8 billion in user funds from his now-bankrupt FTX cryptocurrency exchange.
He faces up to life in prison, if convicted.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
