Federal Judge Approves Use of “Air-Gapped” Laptop for FTX Founder’s Trial
In a recent development, a federal judge has given the green light for Sam Bankman-Fried, the founder of FTX, to use an “air-gapped” laptop to take notes during his upcoming trial next month. Bankman-Fried’s legal team made the request for him to have access to a laptop without internet connectivity, with the intention of only allowing him to use it inside the courtroom. The Southern District of New York judge, Lewis Kaplan, who is presiding over the case, approved this request on Wednesday.
The defense team stated in their proposed order that the laptop in question is the same one Bankman-Fried used while out on bail earlier this year. However, a technology consultant will disable any network connectivity functions to ensure the device remains isolated. The laptop will be brought to court every morning by a paralegal and taken back from Bankman-Fried at the end of each trial day. The trial is scheduled to commence on October 3rd.
Additionally, Judge Kaplan also granted another defense request, allowing Bankman-Fried to wear a suit during the court proceedings. To facilitate this, the U.S. Marshals Service or the Metropolitan Detention Center will need to accept and maintain three suits, four dress shirts, three ties, a belt, and other necessary clothing items.
Bankman-Fried had been attending hearings in court wearing a suit for most of this year until he was remanded into custody, since when he has been appearing in a prison uniform.
The defense team has previously failed to secure temporary release for Bankman-Fried on two occasions. However, they have made another attempt, this time proposing stringent conditions for his release. Judge Kaplan has given the Department of Justice until 5:00 p.m. ET today to respond to this request. A hearing has been scheduled for 10:00 a.m. ET on Thursday to discuss the motion.
It is noteworthy that Bankman-Fried’s trial has attracted significant attention in the cryptocurrency community. As the founder of FTX, a prominent cryptocurrency trading platform, his legal proceedings have implications for the industry as a whole.
This judge’s decision to allow the use of an “air-gapped” laptop acknowledges the importance of technology as a tool for defendants and demonstrates an openness to adapting courtroom practices to the specific needs of individuals involved in complex trials. By enabling Bankman-Fried to make notes on an offline device, the court strikes a balance between ensuring security and granting him the necessary resources for a fair trial.
As the trial date approaches, the focus will be on observing the court proceedings and any potential developments regarding Bankman-Fried’s temporary release. The outcome of this trial has broader implications for the crypto community, and stakeholders will keenly follow its progress.
