WTF?! Sam Bankman-Fried was residing the excessive life in a non-public villa within the Bahamas, sipping on piña coladas, and rubbing elbows with celebrities and different billionaires. However his attorneys say poor outdated Sam was depressing that entire time. The courts ought to take pity as a result of he has a “situation” that no common individual has heard of that makes him incapable of having fun with something. No. Actually. You’ll be able to’t make this up. Learn on.
Blockchain Bro and now convicted felon Sam Bankman-Fried begs the courtroom for mercy as his sentencing approaches. A jury discovered SBF responsible on seven counts of fraud and cash laundering final November after his shenanigans with buyers’ cash collapsed the FTX crypto-trading platform. The convictions may rack up over 100 years for the entrepreneur-turned-scam artist.
Within the face of what quantities to a life sentence, and with one other trial on the docket for 5 extra prices scheduled for late March, Bankman-Fried’s attorneys petitioned the choose for a lowered sentence of 63 to 78 months or roughly 5 to 7 years. His attorneys paint an image of a loveable close to saint-of-a-man of their 98-page memorandum filed on Tuesday.
“Sam is just not the ‘evil genius’ depicted within the media or the grasping villain described at trial,” the courtroom doc reads. “He’s a 31-year-old son, brother, buddy, humanitarian, and philanthropist … He doesn’t use medicine, not often drinks alcohol, and has by no means had any involvement with the felony justice system earlier than this case.”
The memorandum additionally maintains that Bankman-Fried is harmless of all prices whereas concurrently acknowledging the ache he has induced. Sure, we needed to learn that twice, too.
“Those that know Sam additionally understand how deeply, deeply sorry he’s for the ache he induced over the past two years [page 11] … Sam acknowledges the jury’s service on this matter, he respectfully maintains his innocence, and he intends to attraction his convictions [page 19].”
The doc reads like a mishmash of each believable protection his attorneys may dream up, together with pleading for sympathy for SBF’s personal struggling and psychological sickness.
“Those that know Sam are delicate to the tragic undeniable fact that nothing in life brings him actual happiness,” it states. “Sam suffers from anhedonia, a extreme situation characterised by a near-complete absence of enjoyment, motivation, and curiosity. He has been that method since childhood.”
The memorandum comes on the heels of a presentence investigation report (PSR) from a probation officer advising to condemn SBF to 100 years. Bankman-Fried’s attorneys known as the advice “grotesque” as a result of it was based mostly on victims shedding $10 billion. The doc contends that the victims will recuperate “100 cents on the greenback” from chapter proceedings. His attorneys opined that 100-year sentences needs to be reserved for the “heinous conduct” of terrorists and pedophiles, citing two federal instances in opposition to al-Qaeda and a baby abuse/pornography case.
The PSR does not carry numerous weight. It is merely an opposing voice bearing as a lot significance because the character statements submitted on SBF’s behalf. Extra essential are the prosecutors’ suggestions. They might search the utmost penalty of 110 years. Even nonetheless, the choose will get the ultimate say after reviewing all post-conviction motions and statements. The New York Instances notes that authorized consultants anticipate a sentence of between 20 and 50 years with reductions allowed for good conduct.
Prosecutors have till March 15 to submit their suggestion, and the choose will render his determination on March 28, the day SBF’s second trial begins.
