Sam Bankman-Fried Wants Another Trial, But His Lawyer Faces Skepticism

During a court hearing, judges expressed skepticism regarding Sam Bankman-Fried's appeal to overturn his 25-year conviction for fraud and conspiracy. Bankman-Fried's attorney, Alexandra Shapiro, argued that her client was restricted from fully discussing legal advice received during his trial and that jurors were misled about FTX customers' losses. However, the judges, Barrington Parker, Eunice Lee, and Maria Araujo Kahn, questioned the validity of these claims, indicating that victim repayment does not serve as a defense in financial crimes. The judges noted that Bankman-Fried had previously stated that he did not rely on legal advisors when mishandling funds. They are expected to issue a ruling later on the appeal, which reflects Bankman-Fried's ongoing attempts to challenge the severe penalties handed down after his significant financial misconduct led to the downfall of the FTX exchange.

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