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opening statements Elizabeth Holmes caseThe founder of blood testing startup Theranos will launch Wednesday morning in San Jose, California, kicking off one of Silicon Valley’s most anticipated trials.
Ms. Holmes, 37, was charged with 12 counts of electronic fraud and conspiracy to commit electronic fraud in connection with the money she raised for Theranos. resolved in 2018 Then it turned out that there was a problem with the blood tests.
A jury will decide whether Ms. Holmes, who founded Theranos in 2003 and her mission to revolutionize healthcare, lied to investors about her company’s technology.
Ms. Holmes claimed that Theranos’ Edison machines could quickly perform a wide variety of blood tests using just a drop of blood. The United States accused Ms. Holmes of harming patients who relied on them, knowing that the tests were limited and unreliable. Prosecutors also said Theranos had exaggerated its business deals and performance.
Ramesh Balwani, the former head of Theranos, known as Sunny, is on trial in a separate trial that will begin next year. Both Ms. Holmes and Mr. Balwani pleaded not guilty. Judge Edward Davila of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California is presiding over the cases.
Miss Holmes could face up to 20 years in prison if found guilty, which makes her one of several Silicon Valley executives He was accused of wrongdoing to ever go to jail.
The trial involved years of delays and legal disputes over everything from which emails and arguments could be used to whether Ms. Holmes should wear a mask while sitting in the courtroom.
Last week, a Jury of seven men and five women sworn in Having heard of Ms. Holmes, after weeding out many potential jurors who had direct experience with domestic violence or had timing issues for the quarterly trial.
Ms. Holmes’ lawyers stated that they could use a mental health defense, arguing that Mr Balwani, with whom she was dating, had been emotionally and physically abusive, which hindered her intention to cheat on her. Mr. Balwani denied the accusations. Ms. Holmes’ lawyers also indicated in the court filings that she was likely to appear on the bench.
In court documents submitted over the weekend, prosecutors include David Boies, former Theranos attorney; Henry Kissinger, who sits on the board of Theranos; James Mattis, former secretary of defense and director of Theranos; and media mogul Rupert Murdoch, who supports Theranos and is part of a group case upon his death. Some names were displayed as initials.
Ms. Holmes’ lawyers listed more than 60 witnesses, including several US lawyers, involved in the case; John Carreyrou, author and reporter of a book about Theranos; former US Senator William Frist, who sits on the Theranos board; and Mrs. Holmes.
In a separate file, Ms. Holmes’ lawyers also requested that the testimony of three former Theranos employees be excluded. One of the witnesses, Erika Cheung, worked in Theranos’ lab and reported problems with the blood test to federal regulators. Ms. Holmes’ lawyers argued that various parts of Ms. Cheung’s testimony would be irrelevant as it was hearsay or not directly linked to Ms. Holmes.
Ms. Holmes’ lawyers also requested the exclusion of testimony from Daniel Edlin, a former project manager at the company, and Danise Yam, who has been Theranos’ corporate controller for 11 years.
Prosecutors responded with exhibits supporting Ms. Cheung’s allegations. Judge Davila on Tuesday ordered that such an exclusion would be “premature” before hearing the government’s questions or argument.
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