Prosecutors have objected to the proposed questions that lawyers for FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried want to ask potential jurors ahead of his trial next month. The questions include topics such as the “effective altruism” movement, body language, and political donations. Prosecutors argue that these questions are an attempt to advance a narrative that Bankman-Fried was trying to improve the world through his wealth. They believe that the purpose of voir dire, the process of selecting jurors, is not to portray the defendant as a good person.
Bankman-Fried had been a supporter of the effective altruism movement before his arrest. Prosecutors state that establishing a motive for Bankman-Fried’s philanthropic commitments is not relevant during the jury selection process.
Bankman-Fried is currently awaiting trial in jail after being accused of witness tampering. If convicted, he faces potentially over
100 years in prison for charges including fraud. Prosecutors allege that Bankman-Fried and other FTX executives misused billions of customer assets for their own failed investments.
Bankman-Fried’s lawyers also wanted to ask questions about ADHD and its potential impact on his behavior. Prosecutors argue that this line of questioning would improperly cast Bankman-Fried in a sympathetic light at the beginning of the trial.
Furthermore, prosecutors objected to questions about political donations and lobbying, considering them irrelevant. They clarified that they do not argue against donating large amounts to political candidates or advancing one’s interests through such donations.
In conclusion, prosecutors are pushing back against the proposed juror questions from Bankman-Fried’s lawyers, considering their attempts to create a specific narrative and seeking to maintain the focus on the actual charges faced by Bankman-Fried.