logo
episode-header-image
Nov 2023
24m 22s

Judging Sam: The Hail Mary That Wasn’t

Pushkin Industries
About this episode

We're finally in the home stretch. Today the prosecution finished their cross examination of Sam Bankman-Fried, the defense followed up with a redirect, and then both sides rested. It’s Michael’s last day at court, but Lidia Jean will attend until the bitter end. They sit down to talk through the trial day’s events.

This conversation was recorded on October 31.

Questions for Michael? Submit them by clicking the link in our show notes or visiting atrpodcast.com

To access bonus episodes, and to listen to all of our coverage ad-free, sign up for Pushkin plus on the Against The Rules show page in Apple Podcasts or at Pushkin.fm/plus.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Up next
Nov 2023
Judging Sam: The jury's job
CORRECTION: In an earlier version of this episode, our guest incorrectly stated that in the case of a hung jury, a defendant cannot be retried without risking double jeopardy. This is incorrect. If the jury hangs, then the defendant can be retried. We have edited the episode to r ... Show More
20m 32s
Nov 2023
Judging Sam: Guilty on all counts
The jury, after about 4 and a half hours of deliberation, has delivered its verdict – guilty on all seven counts. Lidia Jean Kott was in the courtroom when it happened. Her conversation with financial reporter Jacob Goldstein was recorded on November 2. Questions for Michael? Sub ... Show More
8m 42s
Nov 2023
Judging Sam: The Aftermath
It's all over. Sam Bankman-Fried was found guilty on all seven counts. But what now? Michael Lewis, Lidia Jean Kott, and Judging Sam’s legal expert, O’Melveny defense attorney Rebecca Mermelstein, reflect on the outcome and look ahead to sentencing, SBF's other legal troubles, an ... Show More
34m 22s
Recommended Episodes
Oct 2023
Bonus #1: Courtroom Bombshells - An Update from Sam Bankman-Fried’s Trial
“He is somebody who likes double or nothing coin flips – and this is basically his last coin flip.”Since kicking off on October 3, the trial of Sam Bankman-Fried has generated headlines around the world. It’s produced hours of witness testimony and endless reams of evidence – but ... Show More
21m 50s
Nov 2023
Sam Bankman-Fried takes the stand
<p>Reporter Joshua Oliver joins us just hours after the closing arguments of the fraud trial of Sam Bankman-Fried, founder of the FTX crypto exchange. We talk about why it’s hard to find a smoking gun in a white-collar criminal trial, why Bankman-Fried testified and what it was l ... Show More
19m 38s
Apr 2020
S1 | E10 Endings and Beginnings
After years of fighting for justice, the final day of the trial arrives. Maria, Kate and the reporters come together to hear whether or not the judges will convict Dino. The emotional and legal ramifications of the decision are huge. But is this story over? Need help? You're not ... Show More
38m 58s
May 2022
Trial Update | The Wait
Paolo Macchiarini has been on a month-long trial in Sweden. Now that prosecution and defense arguments have rested, Laura Beil speaks with Benita Alexander about the final day in court and what to expect in the coming weeks.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and Cali ... Show More
9m 55s
May 2024
Felony or witch hunt: Who told the best story at Trump’s trial?
Donald Trump’s 'hush money' trial is in its final stages as the prosecution and defence teams have both now rested their cases. The jury will return on Tuesday for closing arguments - and maybe even a verdict. This is ultimately a trial of two competing stories. So who told their ... Show More
28m 37s
Dec 2021
Closing Arguments
More than three months, 32 witnesses and three juror dismissals after the criminal trial of Elizabeth Holmes began, attorneys for the prosecution and defense had the chance to make their final appeals with closing arguments. Who presented the most compelling case? What resonated ... Show More
1h 13m
May 2025
The Trial: Prosecutors Go for the Big Fish
Brian recaps key moments in court this week, including Kid Cudi taking the stand. Then, a conversation with former prosecutor Moira Penza who won a conviction in the high profile RICO and sex trafficking case against Keith Raniere of NXIVM. Diddy faces those charges as well, and ... Show More
35m 46s
Jun 2025
Sean Combs: "Someone is lying."
<p>The day began with the judge interrogating both legal teams over the source of a leak. It ended with a closed-door discussion about a newly discovered juror issue. In between, the prosecution showed receipts, including some that showed Bad Boy Productions on the hook for an AM ... Show More
11m 2s
Mar 2023
Alex Murdaugh & Would We Be Good Jurors? (Quiz) - SimplyPodLogical #140
On this episode of SimplyPodLogical, Cristine and Ben discuss the conclusion of the Alex Murdaugh criminal case and verdict, take a "juror attitudes" questionnaire designed to assess prosecution bias, and discuss the adversarial justice system more generally. 
1h 21m