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> photogenic Maybe I am taking crazy pills, but even Unabomber at his unshaven peak (far from what most people would consider photogenic) was appearing more sa

> photogenic Maybe I am taking crazy pills, but even Unabomber at his unshaven peak (far from what most people would consider photogenic) was appearing more sane and photogenic than Holmes in her own promo photoshoots. Agreed with your ultimate conclusion though. No matter how you stack the cards here, I had a gut feeling that she would make it out just fine, with Sunny being scapegoated as the "manipulator". Don't get me wrong, I believe he deserves at least just as much blame as Holmes. But he stood no chance.

Cupertino95014 4y ago
I didn't go to Sunny's trial, but it didn't seem to generate much drama. The idea that he was the manipulator is a "finding of fact" in legal parlance. She can't raise that on appeal. Maybe if the defense tried and the judge refused to allow it, that could be appealed as an "error" and thus appealed. Offhand I don't think that happened in her trial, but I could be wrong (?) Only a new trial could bring that up. An appellate court could order a new trial; that happens sometimes. And, of course, in the sentencing hearing, they can try to blame Sunny. I don't think that reduces her sentence to zero, if it works at all. IANAL, so someone who is: feel free to correct me.
- nradov 4y ago
  I haven't read the trial transcripts but "manipulator" isn't really a formal term in criminal law. Even if the jury found that Ramesh “Sunny” Balwani encouraged Elizabeth Holmes to commit her crimes, that wouldn't be considered grounds for an acquittal, new trial, or lighter sentence. Adult, mentally competent defendants are legally considered to be responsible for their own actions (except for rare circumstances of coercion or threats which are obviously not a factor here).
Waterluvian 4y ago
She’s a creepy sociopath who will inevitably be photogenic and charismatic to the kinds of people who need protection from her.
bitwize 4y ago
She was hot. That's what it boils down to. When you consider her (mostly old male) investors, especially that pervert Bill Clinton, they weren't charmed by her stilted personality or her bizarre sanpaku eyes. They were thinking with the little head.
- SgtBastard 4y ago
  The Clinton's didn't invest in Theranos. Bill appeared on a discussion panel with her once and Hillary's 2016 Presidential Campaign cancelled hosting an event at Theranos HQ after the leaks on Theranos (lack of) progress became public. Please don't bring partisan misandry to HN, we're better than this.

Cupertino95014 4y ago

I didn't go to Sunny's trial, but it didn't seem to generate much drama. The idea that he was the manipulator is a "finding of fact" in legal parlance. She can't raise that on appeal. Maybe if the defense tried and the judge refused to allow it, that could be appealed as an "error" and thus appealed. Offhand I don't think that happened in her trial, but I could be wrong (?) Only a new trial could bring that up. An appellate court could order a new trial; that happens sometimes. And, of course, in the sentencing hearing, they can try to blame Sunny. I don't think that reduces her sentence to zero, if it works at all. IANAL, so someone who is: feel free to correct me.

nradov 4y ago
I haven't read the trial transcripts but "manipulator" isn't really a formal term in criminal law. Even if the jury found that Ramesh “Sunny” Balwani encouraged Elizabeth Holmes to commit her crimes, that wouldn't be considered grounds for an acquittal, new trial, or lighter sentence. Adult, mentally competent defendants are legally considered to be responsible for their own actions (except for rare circumstances of coercion or threats which are obviously not a factor here).

Waterluvian 4y ago

She’s a creepy sociopath who will inevitably be photogenic and charismatic to the kinds of people who need protection from her.

bitwize 4y ago

She was hot. That's what it boils down to. When you consider her (mostly old male) investors, especially that pervert Bill Clinton, they weren't charmed by her stilted personality or her bizarre sanpaku eyes. They were thinking with the little head.

SgtBastard 4y ago
The Clinton's didn't invest in Theranos. Bill appeared on a discussion panel with her once and Hillary's 2016 Presidential Campaign cancelled hosting an event at Theranos HQ after the leaks on Theranos (lack of) progress became public. Please don't bring partisan misandry to HN, we're better than this.