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Sam Bankman-Fried's lawyers submitted a plea on Friday, asking for his "interim release." The core argument is to enable him to better equip his defense strategy.
The legal team states that Bankman-Fried, presently incarcerated, faces challenges in accessing vital online documents that are integral to his defense. If this isn't feasible, the team is urging the Court to re-evaluate past decisions and instruct the Marshals to present Mr. Bankman-Fried at 500 Pearl Street's proffer rooms. Here, he can access a computer, connect to the internet, and liaise with his lawyers. The defense team ensures they will supervise all sessions and retrieve the computer afterward.
Earlier in the month, Judge Lewis Kaplan revoked Bankman-Fried's bail. Kaplan decided that the FTX founder breached bail terms by trying to influence witnesses more than once. Following this, his legal team contested his custody and revisited this matter with Magistrate Judge Sarah Netburn.
During a recent court appearance, a similar stance was communicated, emphasizing the challenges he faces in sharing his analysis and findings.
While the FTX leader does have limited computer privileges at the Manhattan federal courthouse, the constraints – both in terms of time and technology – are significant. Before his detainment, Bankman-Fried dedicated 80-100 hours weekly for his defense, but now he's confined to 12 hours a week. Additionally, the computer's battery is limited and online connectivity unreliable. At the Metropolitan Detention Center, he lacks both internet and computer accessibility.
The defense stressed he remains detached from any discovery or work data at the detention center. Although they've sent him essential documents on hard drives, without a computer, these resources are futile for trial preparations.
Challenges have also arisen with the Justice Department's continuous document releases. The defense team objects to the release of over 4 million new document pages and asks for a halt on any discovery documents post July 1.
Bankman-Fried, facing seven varied charges, has his trial due in October. Prosecutors are to respond to these concerns by August 29, with a scheduled virtual hearing about these discoveries set for August 30.
