Jury Deselection Process and Prospective Jurors

The theme of the first day of the trial was the jury deselection process, where the judge posed questions to prospective jurors to ensure impartiality. This led to moments of humor as some potential jurors revealed conflicts of interest or personal circumstances that made it difficult for them to serve. Some jurors mentioned their investments in the crypto industry, including one who had processed claims for victims of Bernie Madoff, and others who had lost money in crypto investments. The government also read a long list of potential witnesses, including FTX executives and notable names from the crypto world. The day concluded with 50 potential jurors remaining, with the judge expected to select 12 jurors and six alternates on the next day.