Jurors in the Tornado Cash trial are struggling to reach agreement, forcing the judge to step in with a last-resort measure to keep the case from unraveling.
After days of back-and-forth, the panel remains split on some charges against Roman Storm, one of the project’s co-founders.
To prevent a hung jury, the court issued what’s known as an Allen charge—a legal push urging jurors to keep talking and reconsider their positions in hopes of reaching a unanimous verdict.
Defense attorney Brian Klein objected, saying it was clear the group wasn’t going to agree and suggested settling for a partial outcome. But the judge, siding with prosecutors, insisted deliberations continue.
Storm faces accusations of enabling money laundering through Tornado Cash, a crypto mixing service built on Ethereum. Prosecutors say he knowingly facilitated the movement of illicit funds, including transactions linked to North Korea’s Lazarus Group. The defense argues he merely contributed code to a decentralized project and can’t be blamed for how it was used.
With possible prison time stretching up to 45 years, the case could reshape how courts view accountability in open-source blockchain development. The longer the jury remains divided, the more the crypto world braces for a verdict that may set a lasting precedent.
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Alex is an experienced financial journalist and cryptocurrency enthusiast. With over 8 years of experience covering the crypto, blockchain, and fintech industries, he is well-versed in the complex and ever-evolving world of digital assets. His insightful and thought-provoking articles provide readers with a clear picture of the latest developments and trends in the market. His approach allows him to break down complex ideas into accessible and in-depth content. Follow his publications to stay up to date with the most important trends and topics.
Source: https://coindoo.com/tornado-cash-jury-hits-stalemate-whats-next-for-roman-storm/