Jury Begins Deliberations in Elizabeth Holmes Fraud Trial
A California jury weighs 11 fraud and conspiracy charges against former Theranos CEO Elizabeth Holmes after three months of dramatic testimony. Holmes faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted on all counts.
The jury in the Elizabeth Holmes fraud trial receives the case after lawyers finish their closing arguments in a San Jose federal court. The panel of eight men and four women faces the task of deciding whether the former Theranos CEO turns her blood-testing startup into a massive scam. They begin deliberations on Friday but pause for the weekend before resuming their work on Monday morning.
Holmes faces 11 charges of fraud and conspiracy that stem from a three-month trial featuring testimony from 32 witnesses and over 900 exhibits. The prosecution argues that Holmes intentionally deceives investors and patients about the capabilities of her company's blood-testing technology. If the jury convicts her on all counts, the 37-year-old faces a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison.
In his final appeal to the jury, Holmes' defense attorney Kevin Downey compares his client to a captain trying to save a sinking ship rather than a criminal fleeing the scene. He insists that Holmes stays with the struggling company because she genuinely believes in the technology. This defense contrasts sharply with the prosecution's portrayal of Holmes as a calculated scammer who prioritizes personal fame over scientific truth.