The attorneys wrote to U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan, pointing out that the Manhattan federal prosecutors had failed to provide evidence

The legal team of former crypto billionaire Sam Bankman-Fried has sought a deferral of his October 2 criminal trial. This is as per court documents filed on March 8. As per Reuters, their argument was that it may take longer than expected to evaluate the facts and prepare a defence.

The attorneys wrote to U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan, mentioning that the Manhattan federal prosecutors had failed to produce proof. Sam Bankman-Fried’s former closest allies had their devices searched for information, including former Alameda Chief Executive Officer Caroline Ellison and former FTX technology Chief Gary Wang.

Late last month, four more fraud and conspiracy charges were added. As a result, there are 12 charges against the former FTX chief. After being arrested in December, SBF entered a not-guilty plea in January on eight charges of fraud.

Under the terms of his $250m bail, SBF was permitted to return to his parents’ home in California under house arrest. The findings that SBF had used a VPN to access the internet prompted Judge Kaplan to contemplate reconsider the bail conditions.

Additionally, the usage of encrypted messaging platforms and communication with former FTX workers were both restricted to him. On the other hand, the prosecution has urged that SBF be permitted to stay free. But with strict restrictions on his use of technology.

SBF’s attorneys claim that their client will seek to separate himself from the daily activities of FTX as part of their defence. It has been reported that, should his trial be deferred, he may seek to place the blame on Ellison and counter her scheduled evidence. Cooperating witnesses are generally attacked by defendants who claim that the witnesses are driven to lie and implicate others in order to get leniency.