Bankman-Fried’s neurodivergence may have affected trial perception
Doctors argue that Sam Bankman-Fried's autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) might have influenced how his behavior was perceived during his criminal trial.
In an amicus brief filed on September 20, eight doctors claimed that his neurodivergence resulted in long-winded answers, which frustrated the court.
They highlighted that his tendency to give detailed explanations was characteristic of people with ASD, who often interpret language literally.
“The judge repeatedly chided Mr. Bankman-Fried for his lengthy responses and for attempting to clarify or rephrase questions,” the brief stated.
The doctors pointed out that this may have been misinterpreted by the court as evasiveness, adding, “Such clipped responses can easily be misinterpreted as arrogance, or indifference.”
The brief also mentioned that Bankman-Fried was denied proper access to ADHD medication during the trial, which impacted his ability to focus.
“Failure to provide effective doses of ADHD medication can seriously affect functioning,” the doctors argued, suggesting that the lack of medication hampered his concentration during critical phases of the trial.
Additionally, they explained that Bankman-Fried’s inability to access specific FTX (CRYPTO:FTT) documents further complicated his testimony, as individuals with ASD often rely on concrete information to provide clear responses.
The brief concluded that Bankman-Fried’s neurodivergence “posed serious challenges during proceedings in this case,” potentially leading the jury to misinterpret his behavior during his defense.
This filing is part of Bankman-Fried's broader appeal efforts following his March sentencing, where he was given 25 years for defrauding FTX customers of $11 billion.
Disclaimer: The content of this article solely reflects the author's opinion and does not represent the platform in any capacity. This article is not intended to serve as a reference for making investment decisions.
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