Doctors file friend-of-the-court briefs, arguing SBF's neurological differentiation led to him being "misunderstood" at trial

Eight doctors specializing in the field of neurodivergence told the Second Circuit Court of Appeals in a recent amicus brief in support of SBF that SBF's diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) "posed serious challenges during the prosecution of this case" and that the court and jury may have misunderstood SBF's behavior during the criminal trial. They claim that several rulings were made against SBF "because of his neurodivergence," particularly the Manhattan District Court's ruling that government prosecutors could cross-examine him without a jury before he sat before them. The ruling "has potentially far-reaching consequences" because "the judge repeatedly rebuked SBF for his lengthy answers and attempts to clarify or rephrase questions" - which the doctors say is characteristic of people with autism spectrum disorder because they understand language in a literal way. They also claim that the judge's rebukes later caused SBF to change his answers in front of the jury, "likely an overcorrection." (Cointelegraph)