Following the Theranos Trial

 On September 8, the trial of former CEO and founder of the multi billion dollar company Theranos, Elizabeth Holmes, began. I first heard of Theranos and Elizabeth Holmes long before this, during my time in middle school. I remember being completely fascinated by Holmes and her downfall. In 7th grade, I read the book Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup, a bombshell investigative thriller about Theranos and the scandal it created. And when it came out a few years later, I also listened to the podcast “The Dropout”, a ABC podcast series that detailed Theranos as well. 

When I heard that the trial had begun a few weeks ago, my fascination became once more renewed. I began to follow the trial closely, reading articles offering updates and listening to new weekly episodes by the podcast “The Dropout”. 

Before I begin talking about the trial, if you are unfamiliar with the case, I would *highly* recommend you read or listen to the aforementioned podcast and or book to gain a truly deep understanding of what happened with Theranos! Or read the article attached below that offers a fairly thorough summary of the scandal.   

The trial began with the jury selection. During this process, it was interesting to read and hear about which kinds of jury members both the prosecution and defense wanted to select. The defense was eager to select members who would be sympathetic to Elizabeth and her cause while it was in the best interest of the prosecution to select members less likely to be swayed by emotion. This is the first time I’ve followed a trial as closely as I have been doing, and I’ve found it valuable to learn about the criminal defense system through the lense of a case like this. 

After the jury selection and a few hiccups involving jury availability and Covid protocol, the trial began on September 8. The trial started with opening statements from the defense and prosecution. The prosecution attempted to characterize Elizabeth as a manipulative and zealous entrepreneur who knowingly deceived investors and put patients at risk, while the defense attempted to distance Elizabeth from the day to day operations of the company that were unethical.

After opening statements, witness testimony began. Testimonies have and will be from people like former investors, board members, company employees, and patients. So far, the trial has heard from former board member and former US defense secretary Jim Mattis, a former Theranos Lab Director Adam Rosendorff, former lab worker and whistleblower Erika Cheung, among others. 

So far, it’s been particularly interesting to observe how the defense is approaching the factual evidence that proves Theranos made objectively false and misleading statements to board members, investors, patients, and the public alike. From what I’ve read and heard, it seems that they are attempting to place much of the blame on former COO Sunny Balwani, characterizing Elizabeth as more of a naive, young, visionary who was unaware of the happenings in the lab. 

I look forward to continuing to follow this trial and hearing the defense lay out their full case for Elizabeth. 

Links:

Article: https://www.bbc.com/news/business-58336998

Book: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/37976541-bad-blood

Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dropout/id1449500734

Photo Source: https://www.businessinsider.com/elizabeth-holmes-merch-pokes-fun-at-the-girlboss-2021-10