SBF withdraws motion for retrial, claiming inability to receive a fair trial from the judge

ChainCatcher reports that SBF sent a letter to New York Judge Lewis Kaplan, announcing the temporary withdrawal of his Rule 33 motion for a retrial. SBF stated that he needs to focus on answering the judge's questions regarding whether his lawyers participated in drafting the motion, and believes he cannot receive a fair hearing before this judge. Therefore, he decided to withdraw the motion. He plans to retain the right to resubmit the motion after a ruling is made on his direct appeal and related request for reassignment of the judge.

Previously, SBF was sentenced to 25 years in prison for defrauding customers and investors. In his letter, he confirmed that the motion was mainly based on his independent legal research and drafting while in Brooklyn jail, with his parents only providing editorial suggestions and assisting with printing.