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

An appeals court appears doubtful about Sam Bankman-Fried's arguments for overturning his 25-year sentence. During a recent court hearing, judges questioned his lawyer, Alexandra Shapiro, regarding claims that Bankman-Fried was restricted from discussing legal advice he received, and that jurors were misled about the losses experienced by FTX customers. The judges articulated that the eventual repayment of victims does not constitute a valid defense against financial crimes. Last year, Bankman-Fried was convicted on seven counts, including fraud and money laundering, with the jury deliberating for less than five hours. Shapiro's main arguments included her assertion that Bankman-Fried's ability to testify about his legal counsel was limited and that jurors were improperly informed about FTX's financial state. The judges were not convinced, with Judge Parker emphasizing that Bankman-Fried had previously stated he did not rely on legal advice during his actions that led to financial misconduct. The panel will provide a ruling on Bankman-Fried's appeal in due course.

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