FTX News: Sam Bankman-Fried's Appeals Court Hearing Saw Skeptical Judges

The Second Circuit Court of Appeals heard arguments in Sam Bankman-Fried's appeal regarding his criminal conviction, with judges showing skepticism towards his attorney's claims for a new trial. Bankman-Fried's appeal focused on the assertion that he did not receive a fair trial due to perceived bias from Judge Lewis Kaplan, who presided over the initial proceedings. The defense argued that Judge Kaplan's rulings prejudiced their case, making it difficult to demonstrate that Bankman-Fried acted in good faith. During the hearing, the three-judge panel questioned whether the previous trial's outcomes would have differed had Bankman-Fried been allowed to testify about the role of his lawyers. They also raised concerns about an $11 billion forfeiture amount related to the case, querying its justification if victims are expected to be made whole through bankruptcy proceedings. The judges did not indicate their decision and it may take time before a ruling is announced.

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