Musk attorney demands probe into jury bias after panel allegedly ‘mocked’ process
Elon Musk’s attorney is urging a federal judge to scrutinize a recent jury verdict that found Musk liable for misleading investors, arguing that the panel’s decision was compromised by bias...
By Fox News · Fox News
Elon Musk’s attorney is urging a federal judge to scrutinize a recent jury verdict that found Musk liable for misleading investors, arguing that the panel’s decision was compromised by bias and even "mocked" the judicial process. "Mr. Musk came into this trial concerned that he could not have a fair trial decided by an impartial jury, that he would be deprived of the counsel of his choice, and that he could not present the full testimony of one of the key witnesses to his defense," Musk's lawyer, Alex Spiro, wrote in a letter sent to U.S. District Judge Charles R. Breyer, the judge presiding over the case. "Unfortunately, and as evidenced by the record and expressed on the jury’s verdict form, each of those fears were realized." A jury this month found Musk misled investors in his 2022 effort to purchase Twitter — now known as 'X' — in a lawsuit that focused on allegations that he misrepresented impacted stock prices. Spiro argued that the jury’s conduct raises "a serious issue" about whether Musk received a fair trial — citing what he described as a deliberate and symbolic use of the number 420 — one that he argued has been long associated with Musk — in the verdict form. META, GOOGLE FACE MASSIVE LIABILITY AS ‘ADDICTED KIDS’ TRIAL CONTINUES IN LA Musk has repeatedly leaned into internet jokes and references to the "420" number, long associated with marijuana culture. The SEC in 2018 accused Musk of choosing a $420 price point for Tesla shares because it was a reference to pot, which Musk described as "unjustified." Spiro noted in the letter that the jury had "emphasized" the $4.20 figure in blue ink and larger font, and described it as a "numerical joke" meant to "send a message" to Musk, in his view, rather than reflect a neutral application of the law. He also argued that presentation of the damages number, which stood out from other figures on the form, further underscored his concerns that the verdict was influenced by "bias," rather than by evidence. The fil…