Tornado Cash Co-Founder Requests Trial Delay For Fair Battle

As an analyst with a background in law and experience in complex financial cases, I understand the significance of Roman Storm’s request for a trial delay. The intricacy and vast amount of evidence involved in this case are not uncommon in financial crimes, especially those involving cryptocurrencies and sophisticated legal arguments.


Roman Storm, one of the founders of Tornado Cash, is asking for a postponement of his upcoming trial due to the complexity and abundance of evidence in the case. His lawyers are advocating for additional time to thoroughly prepare an effective defense. Originally slated for September 23, 2024, the trial now aims to begin in early 2025 as Roman Storm’s first request for a delay.

Tornado Cash Co-Founder Seeks More Time Due To Case Complexities

Roman Storm’s lawyers have asked US District Judge Katherine Polk Failla to postpone the trial due to the intricacy of the case and the substantial amount of evidence involved.

Furthermore, the defense argues that due to the complex legal and factual matters at hand in this case, a delay until early 2025 is necessary. This is primarily due to the extensive discovery phase, which involves dealing with vast quantities of documents – millions of pages – some of which are in Russian and therefore require translation.

As a crypto investor involved in the ongoing legal proceedings regarding Tornado Cash, I understand the importance of a solid defense. In a letter to Judge Failla, my co-founders’ attorneys expressed the necessity of granting us more time to meticulously examine the evidence and prepare our case accordingly. We are leaving no stone unturned in our investigation, poring over every document with great care. However, we recognize that this process demands further analysis and expert consultations to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the complex issues involved.

Simultaneously, the challenges extend beyond document translation. As reported by Roman Storm’s legal representatives, the intricacies involve intricate legal debates, such as motions to throw out, seal, or compel further evidence, which necessitate extra preparation effort.

The motions are set for an oral hearing on July 12, 2024. It’s worth mentioning that Storm’s defense team expects more material to be disclosed in the course of discovery, increasing the existing workload significantly.

Government Opposes Delay As Defense Seeks Fair Trial

Although Roman Storm has asked for an extension, the government is against granting it further duration. Prosecutors contend that the trial ought to carry on as originally planned to preserve the forward progression of the legal proceedings.

As a researcher examining this case, I would put it this way: The defense argues that a delay in the trial would infringe upon Storm’s right to a fair trial by denying him sufficient preparation time. Furthermore, the defense’s appeal underscores the importance of a thorough examination of the evidence and adequate time to prepare for court proceedings.

Furthermore, they contend that hastily concluding the trial might leave Roman Storm’s defense incomplete, which could influence the final judgment. This position underscores the significant importance of a thorough defense in Storm’s case, as the quality of the presentation could impact the trial’s outcome.

During the forthcoming hearing, Judge Failla is anticipated to deal with this application. The decision made at this hearing will influence whether Roman Storm’s trial, originally set for September, will be postponed until early 2025 based on his lawyers’ claims for extra preparation time to secure a just trial.

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2024-07-06 10:42