Key takeaways from week five of the Elizabeth Holmes trial.


SAN JOSE, California – Week five of company founder Elizabeth Holmes’ trial blood test start Theranos, offered only short moments of drama amid long technical difficulties.

Mrs. Holmes 12 anti-fraud For his role in making Theranos a $9 billion company that collapsed when blood tests proved useless. He pleaded not guilty; If found guilty, he faces up to 20 years in prison.

Ms. Holmes’ reputation as a tech and business prodigy and intense attention to her decline turned the trial into a media spectacle. But within a month, the details of the case, which depended on whether Ms. Holmes wanted to mislead the investors, began to drift.

While the trial usually takes place three days a week, Friday’s session was canceled due to Columbus Day. Here are the results of the week.

Adam RosendorffHe was Theranos’ laboratory director in 2013 and 2014, testifying for six days on the highly technical aspects of the company’s inner workings. Jurors’ eyes focused on detailed discussions about Immulite reagents, Advia machines, immunoassays, Vacutainers, and a range of acronyms such as QC (quality control) and HCG (hormone testing).

Lawyers from both sides, Dr. Even Judge Edward Davila, the typically timid and nobleman, hinted at anger as Rosendorff disagreed on whether he could be questioned about the investigations that took place at the companies he worked for after Theranos. Judge Davila, the defense’s Dr. He said he had four days to drill a hole in Rosendorff’s statement.

Despite his boredom, Dr. Rosendorff’s testimony was critical to the prosecution’s case. He said repeated erratic and inaccurate results in Theranos’ blood tests bothered him and eventually caused him to leave. He said he left because he wanted to join a reputable company whose mission I believe in.

Ms. Holmes’ lawyer, Lance Wade, muddied this narrative, and Dr. He attacked Rosendorff’s statement. When Mr. Wade realizes that Theranos’ initial offerings were just a “soft start” for friends and family and downplaying any issues with blood tests, Dr. Rosendorff was not startled. “They are sick,” he said.

“It’s been a soft start for friends and family,” repeated Mr. Wade.

Dr. “It was a patient launch,” Rosendorff said.

On Wednesday morning, before the trial, Judge Davila summoned a juror into the courtroom to discuss Buddhism. The juror, an elderly Asian woman, said she was increasingly worried about the trial. He said the Buddhist practice focuses on love and forgiveness and it would be difficult for him to vote to convict Ms. Holmes. The juror said he could not follow the judge’s instructions to avoid considering the sentence.

“What if he’s going to stay there for a very, very long time,” he said, his voice cracking. The jury said she would blame herself.

Lawyers from both sides agreed to dismiss him.

The substitute juror, a young woman, had her own concerns. English wasn’t his first language, he said. “This is his future,” he said of Miss Holmes. “I can make a mistake.”

The jury said it understood all the proceedings so far. Judge Davila didn’t let him go.

Keeping the jury together is crucial during the four-month trial. The first week, a juror was fired after learning that his job would not make up for the time allotted to him. Every day, Judge Davila asked jurors if they had been exposed to any media coverage that might change their views.

The pandemic is also a risk. Although all jurors were vaccinated and wearing masks, the one-day trial has already been canceled due to the possibility of one juror being exposed to the coronavirus.

Three substitute judges remain.

Steve Burd, former CEO of Safeway, began telling the story of Safeway’s partnership with Theranos on Wednesday, which was eventually dissolved.

Mr. Burd met Ms. Holmes in 2011 and was immediately impressed. He recounted his promises about Theranos’ technology and expressed his excitement at bringing a quick and inexpensive blood test to Safeway’s grocery stores. People said they can shop for groceries while they wait for results and get their prescriptions from Safeway’s pharmacies.

The companies struck a deal to pour $85 million into Theranos by investing in Safeway, purchasing its equipment and more. All of the negotiations were conducted directly with Ms. Holmes and she did not have a lawyer, Mr Burd said he found the move “unusual”.

His testimony will continue next week.



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