can't say if Ulbricht is innocent or guilty...
Based on this reportage, can you say "El Fucked?"
"I knew you could!"
RIP Mr. Rogers
During the first day of the trial of Ross William Ulbricht on Tuesday, a lawyer representing the accused Silk Road mastermind once again proclaimed his client's innocence of all charges against him. Attorney Joshua Dratel said that although Ulbricht "did invent Silk Road" – the first time either Dratel or Ulbricht has ever …
I don't know whether he is guilty or not. However, I have to say that his lawyer's defence seems plausible, at least. He sets up an online trading site. Criminals see the potential and take it over. When they see the cops closing in, they set him up to take the fall.
Let's see how it plays out. I suspect that he will go to jail.
Ross owns $18 million worth of bitcoins. His lawyer says he got them from trading (and to be fair, it's not like their value doesn't fluctuate) as opposed to the estimate $80million in bitcoins that DPR would have stashed away.
Given his low-key lifestyle, this could be an important plank of the defence. However 18million is enough for a lawyer.
The fact remains is that it is apparently not illegal for the prosecutor, police, informants, etc to lie outright to get the results that they wish in a court case.
THEY should be as supect as anyone elese involved. Their so called "proof" and witnesses should be investigated as much as the defendant has been.
On this side of the pond if any testifying witness lies, he/she can be prosecuted for perjury, which in this state is good for 5 years in prison. On the other hand, anything the prosecutor or defense attorney says, particularly in opening statements or closing arguments, is not subject to perjury because it is not sworn testimony.