Prosecutors Outline Jury Instructions
In a development that could rival the length of a Tolstoy novel, prosecutors have submitted a 100-page document detailing their instructions for the jury in the trial of Sam Bankman-Fried, the co-founder of FTX. This document, filed on August 21, aims to guide Judge Lewis Kaplan on how to instruct the jury regarding Bankman-Fried’s seven charges, which include various counts of fraud and money laundering conspiracy.
The Seven Deadly Charges
Each of the seven charges is like a boss level in a video game, and the prosecutors have carefully described how Judge Kaplan should present the allegations. Here’s a quick rundown:
- Fraud: Lies and deceit that took investors for a ride.
- Wire Fraud: Using technology to make the trickery faster.
- Commodity and Securities Fraud: Treating investments like Monopoly money.
- Money Laundering: Cleaning dirty money without a laundry machine.
The Proof Is in the Pudding
For each count, the prosecution has suggested how the jury should weigh the evidence and what exactly they need to find to deem Bankman-Fried guilty. Spoiler alert: They can’t just flip a coin!
The Standard Jury Instructions
The proposal isn’t just about the charges; it includes detailed instructions on how the jury should handle the evidence, deliberate, and ultimately reach a verdict. It’s a bit like teaching someone how to ride a bike—minus the scraped knees and emotional support.
A Glimpse into the Legal Battlefield
This sort of proposed jury instruction is standard practice in criminal trials; however, it’s Judge Kaplan who holds the gavel (or the proverbial steering wheel), deciding what instructions will actually make it to the jury. The jury will likely find itself wading through a fair bit of legalese, but that’s why they pay the lawyers the big bucks. Meanwhile, Bankman-Fried remains behind bars at the Brooklyn Metropolitan Detention Center, waiting for his day in court. With another trial scheduled for March 2024, he’s got more than just Monopoly money on the line!
