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

A panel of federal appeals judges appeared skeptical about Sam Bankman-Fried's request to overturn his 25-year sentence for fraud. During a court hearing, his attorney, Alexandra Shapiro, asserted that Bankman-Fried was not allowed to adequately explain legal advice he received, and claimed that jurors were misled about the financial losses suffered by FTX customers. However, the judges quickly dismissed these arguments. Judge Barrington Parker highlighted that Bankman-Fried had testified that he did not rely on legal counsel when he misappropriated billions from FTX. Moreover, the judges emphasized that the eventual repayment of victims does not serve as a valid defense against financial crimes. The panel is expected to issue a final ruling on the appeal later. This case follows Bankman-Fried's conviction last year, where he was found guilty on multiple counts including fraud and conspiracy, leading to significant public and legal scrutiny.

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