Bloomberg reports that Bankman-Fried’s appeal focuses on the behavior of U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan, alleging that Kaplan’s rulings were “not just erroneous but unbalanced” and that the judge “continually ridiculed Bankman-Fried during trial, repeatedly criticized his demeanor, and signaled his disbelief of Bankman-Fried’s testimony.”
The appeal also claims that Kaplan “repeatedly mocked defense counsel” while helping the government make its case and that he “improperly prodded” jurors to reach a quick verdict.