Doctors Argue Sam Bankman-Fried’s Neurodivergence Hurt His Trial Defense

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As a seasoned crypto investor with a keen interest in understanding the nuances of the industry and its key players, I find myself deeply concerned about the case of Sam Bankman-Fried. Having personally interacted with individuals on the autism spectrum, I can attest to their unique thought processes and communication styles that may be misconstrued by some as evasive or arrogant.

A team of eight medical professionals with expertise in neurodiversity filed a supporting document (amicus brief) in the appeal case of Sam Bankman-Fried, claiming that his autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) had adversely affected the court proceedings during his trial. This information was reported by Jesse Coghlan for Cointelegraph. In March, Bankman-Fried, the co-founder of FTX, received a 25-year prison sentence for allegedly swindling FTX customers out of approximately $11 billion.

The doctors suggested that Bankman-Fried’s neurodivergence might cause him to provide detailed responses, which the court perceived as evasive. They clarified that people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) often take language literally and may strive to answer questions meticulously, leading to Bankman-Fried frequently being reprimanded by the judge during pre-jury cross-examination.

According to the doctors’ perspective, the stern warning given to Bankman-Fried caused him to significantly alter his approach when the jury was present, opting for brief and terse answers like “Yup.” The report pointed out that these succinct replies might have seemed arrogant or unconcerned to the jury, weakening his defense. The doctors stressed that the inconsistency in his responses could be attributed to the stresses of his neurodivergence and the courtroom setup, rather than deliberate evasiveness.

Beyond this point, the summary emphasized that Bankman-Fried was unable to access essential FTX records. These documents could have served as solid references to support his responses. It suggested that for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), having such documentation is vital in providing clear and accurate answers. The absence of these materials might have given the impression that he was unsure or evasive.

During the initial phases of the trial, it was noted by doctors that Bankman-Fried’s full dose of ADHD medication wasn’t provided. They asserted that he needed an extended-release medication twice a day to stay focused, but instead, he received only half his previous dosage initially, and they didn’t give him the extended-release version until later in the trial.

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2024-09-24 10:17