Attorneys in the Manhattan trial of Sam Bankman-Fried faced criticism from the judge, Lewis Kaplan, on Wednesday. Judge Kaplan expressed frustration with the testimony of two witnesses, deeming it useless and a waste of time. The trial, which involves allegations of fraud against Bankman-Fried, has been a high-profile case.
In his scathing comments, Judge Kaplan chastised both the government and defense attorneys for the poor questioning of witnesses. He highlighted the significance of the case and the importance of making progress in the trial. Judge Kaplan expressed his disappointment with the lack of effectiveness displayed the lawyers.
The judge’s outburst came after two witnesses were excused from the stand within a short time span of 45 minutes each. Both witnesses failed to provide valuable answers to the questions posed both sides. Judge Kaplan emphasized the commitment of 18 individuals involved in the trial, including the jury, and expressed his dismay at the wasted opportunity.
The first witness, Eliora Katz, a former in-house lobbyist for FTX US, was called to testify about company communications. However, she stated that most of the evidence shown to her had been created before her tenure at the company. Judge Kaplan criticized her presence as a “mannequin” who simply read documents and transcripts, considering it a waste of time for everyone involved.
Another witness, Cory Gaddis, a records custodian at Google, also struggled to provide satisfactory answers about specific document metadata. Judge Kaplan questioned the need for Gaddis to be flown in from Texas for a task that held no dispute.
Despite these setbacks, the trial proceeded efficiently. Four witnesses took the stand, including Peter Easton, an accounting professor and academic director, who provided extensive analysis of FTX’s and Alameda’s finances. The day concluded with the testimony of Shamel Medrano, an investigative analyst from the US Attorney’s Office, who presented various social media messages from Bankman-Fried.
Judge Kaplan’s frustrations highlight the need for a more focused and productive approach from the attorneys involved in Sam Bankman-Fried’s trial. With the spotlight on this high-profile case, it is essential to make the most of the available time and resources.