In a Monday filing, defence attorneys Mark S. Cohen and Christian R. Everdell wrote to Judge Lewis Kaplan to request for his temporary release from jail in order to prepare for his trial.
Legal representatives of SBF, Sam Bankman-Fried once again pleaded with the judge handling his case to get him released pending the beginning of this trial.
SBF lawyers request for release
In a Monday filing, defence attorneys Mark S. Cohen and Christian R. Everdell wrote to Judge Lewis Kaplan to request for his temporary release from jail in order to prepare for his trial.
In the letter to the Judge, Bankman-Fried’s lawyers argued that it was indispensable in reviewing the thousands of pages of discovery materials and financial records involved in this complex case. His lawyers noted that they will have limited access to him if he remained in confinement, which will affect the preparation to represent him effectively.
“We submit that we are finding it exceedingly difficult as a practical matter to adequately prepare for trial with the restrictions on access currently in place,” his lawyers said.
Read more: FTX sues Hong Kong affiliate on allegation that it defrauded the company before bankruptcy filing
The renegotiated conditions of the temporary release stipulate that SBF must either be present with his attorneys at their place of business when not in court or be accompanied by a bodyguard in a temporary residence in New York City.
In addition, it was said that SBF would agree to a gag order for the duration of the trial, which would prevent him from speaking to anyone outside his parents, brother, parents, and legal team.
This most recent request comes after the Second Circuit upheld Judge Kaplan’s decision to revoke Bankman-Fried’s $250 million bail last week. Judge Walker noted during oral arguments the motivation to permit appropriate access between Bankman-Fried and his lawyers in order to prevent potential appellate concerns.
Charges of fraud and conspiracy against Bankman-Fried in connection with the failure of the cryptocurrency exchange FTX last November are the subject of the high-profile trial, which is set to start on October 2.
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