Silk Road Seized 2014
(Image by (From Wikimedia) Federal Bureau of Investigation, Author: Federal Bureau of Investigation) Details Source DMCA
Silk Road Seized 2014
(Image by (From Wikimedia) Federal Bureau of Investigation, Author: Federal Bureau of Investigation) Details Source DMCA
Ulbricht's trial was clearly unfair. His defense team was denied access to information on the state's investigative methodology and not allowed to present an alternative theory as to the identity of "Dread Pirate Roberts." They were forbidden to reference the fact that at least two of the federal agents investigating Silk Road (who had access which might have allowed them to fabricate evidence) were themselves caught in corrupt activities and are now in prison. The trial was a railroad job from beginning to end.
Ulbricht's sentence is also clearly unreasonable. Having poisoned the jury pool with claims of murder-for-hire schemes on Ulbricht's part, the prosecution then dropped the charges. But the trial judge nonetheless factored those unproven claims into her sentencing.
As of this coming October, Ulbricht will have spent five years behind bars. He's appealed his conviction and sentence all the way to the US Supreme Court, which declined to hear the case on June 28. At this point, presidential clemency would seem to be his only hope of ever walking free again.
There is no universe in which life without the possibility of parole is a reasonable penalty for the crime of running a web site. Especially a web site which arguably reduced both drug-related street crime and death by drug overdose.
Mr. President: Please set Ross Ulbricht free.
