Allegations of Jury Bias
As the trial of former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried looms closer, tension is rising regarding the selection process for the jury. His lawyer, Mark Cohen, has raised alarming claims that proposed jury questions could lead to biased responses, effectively dooming Bankman-Fried to a prejudged fate. Talk about a rocky start!
The Government’s Proposed Questions Under Fire
In a court filing submitted on September 29, Cohen expressed strong objections to the government’s questions regarding jury selection. He asserts that these questions not only discourage potential jurors from sharing their true feelings, but they also present a real risk of poisoning the jury pool. As Cohen put it, the government’s voir dire should come with a warning label: “Caution, bias ahead!”
Words Matter
Cohen further critiques the language of the questions for portraying a biased image—specifically, referring to Bankman-Fried’s actions as “his fraud” rather than the more neutral “alleged fraud.” One might wonder if they also refer to pizza as “a slice of heaven” before ordering! Linguistic nuances matter in court, and Cohen believes this phrasing unfairly suggests Bankman-Fried’s guilt has already been established.
The Presumption of Innocence: Not Just a Catchphrase
In this case, emphasizing the presumption of innocence is crucial. Cohen argues for a reminder to jurors of this fundamental principle, essentially shouting back at the courtroom, “You’re innocent until proven guilty!” But unfortunately, shouting in court isn’t allowed, so a humble request to the judge will have to suffice.
What’s the Government’s Take?
Not one to back down easily, the U.S. government opposed Bankman-Fried’s proposed jury questions, deeming them unnecessary and a drain on valuable court time. They’re keeping it straight and narrow while Bankman-Fried’s team wants a more colorful palette of inquiry, touching on factors like pretrial publicity and Bankman-Fried’s ADHD.
Counting Down to Trial Day
Time is ticking down, with jury selection set to kick off on October 3, followed by the trial beginning on October 4. It’s a courtroom race, with 15 full days scheduled in October alone, plus six in November. Meanwhile, Bankman-Fried remains in the cozy confines of the Metropolitan Detention Center, where he’s been since August 11, much to his chagrin. His multiple pleas for temporary release have been turned down consistently, leaving him to ponder the cryptic words of courtroom justice.
Final Thoughts
As the legal showdown approaches, the tension is palpable. Will the right questions be asked? Will bias seep in like an unwanted guest at a party? Only time will tell how the courtroom drama unfolds.
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