An interesting development has arisen in the trial of Tornado Cash co-founder Roman Storm, as one juror requested time off to attend her mother’s birthday celebration. The juror, identified as “Ms. Nelson,” asked for a break from deliberations on Aug. 5 to participate in an all-day birthday party for her mother, which included a pedicure.
However, US District Judge Katherine Polk Failla rejected the juror’s request, stating that the jury needed to sit for some portion of every day and that the pedicure would have to be foregone. The jury agreed to adjust their deliberation schedule to accommodate the situation, with discussions now scheduled from 8:30 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. instead of the usual 4:00 P.M. conclusion.
The juror’s request has sparked varied reactions from legal experts and the crypto community. Legal analyst James Murphy noted the irony of the situation, highlighting Storm facing potential decades in prison for creating smart contract code while a juror seeks time off for a birthday celebration and pedicure. Concerns have also been raised about how this could impact the trial’s outcome.
Aragon CEO Anthony Leutenegger cautioned that denying the juror’s request could lead to frustration, potentially influencing her decision in Storm’s case. He emphasized the importance of avoiding subjective decision-making that could affect someone’s life.
Storm is facing charges of conspiracy to commit money laundering, violating sanctions, and operating an unlicensed money-transmitting business. If convicted, he could potentially face up to 45 years in prison for allegedly aiding hackers and cybercriminals in laundering over $1 billion using Tornado Cash.
The trial continues to unfold with this unexpected twist, highlighting the complexities and challenges involved in the legal proceedings surrounding cryptocurrency and privacy tools.