# The trial of Elizabeth Holmes (Theranos)\[sentenced to 11+ yrs, 18Nov2022\] **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [July 10, 2021, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trial-of-elizabeth-holmes-theranos-sentenced-to-11-yrs-18nov2022/946138 "2021-07-10T04:42:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 18
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2022, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trial-of-elizabeth-holmes-theranos-sentenced-to-11-yrs-18nov2022/946138/341 "2022-11-09T18:37:10Z")
Me neither but it’s a sick story. Lots of sickos out there. Humanity sure can suck sometimes. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2022, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trial-of-elizabeth-holmes-theranos-sentenced-to-11-yrs-18nov2022/946138/342 "2022-11-09T18:40:16Z")
The Downs story was featured in a best-seller by Ann Rule and later made into a TV movie. More than anyone else, Downs may be responsible for the meme of the Bushy-Haired Stranger. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2022, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trial-of-elizabeth-holmes-theranos-sentenced-to-11-yrs-18nov2022/946138/343 "2022-11-09T18:41:41Z")
The Bushy-Haired Stranger — [https://www.google.com/search?q=Bushy-Haired+Stranger&client=safari&hl=en-us&prmd=ivn&sxsrf=ALiCzsbbr0yVbv\_oKpxfHvSankB9p0dVGg:1668019262519&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjys\_v836H7AhWvgGoFHVMeA5IQ\_AUoAXoECAMQAQ&biw=428&bih=746&dpr=3](https://www.google.com/search?q=Bushy-Haired+Stranger&client=safari&hl=en-us&prmd=ivn&sxsrf=ALiCzsbbr0yVbv_oKpxfHvSankB9p0dVGg:1668019262519&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjys_v836H7AhWvgGoFHVMeA5IQ_AUoAXoECAMQAQ&biw=428&bih=746&dpr=3) ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2022, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trial-of-elizabeth-holmes-theranos-sentenced-to-11-yrs-18nov2022/946138/344 "2022-11-09T20:28:00Z")
She must’ve copied it from this guy, years before, who by some accounts inspired _The Fugitive_: [Sam Sheppard - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Sheppard) ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2022, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trial-of-elizabeth-holmes-theranos-sentenced-to-11-yrs-18nov2022/946138/345 "2022-11-10T22:36:15Z")
More sickos. Although DNA evidence exonerated him, it may have been the handyman who did it and was the sicko. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2022, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trial-of-elizabeth-holmes-theranos-sentenced-to-11-yrs-18nov2022/946138/346 "2022-11-18T19:57:22Z")
Waiting for the judge. Prosecutors ask for 15 years. Defence asks for 18 months home arrest. > **[Theranos's Elizabeth Holmes sentenced to more than 11 years in federal prison...](https://www.cbc.ca/amp/1.6654597)** > > A U.S. federal judge on Friday sentenced disgraced Theranos founder and former CEO Elizabeth Holmes to 11 years and three months in federal prison. > **[Theranos: Silicon Valley holds breath for Elizabeth Holmes sentencing](https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-63672103.amp)** > > The case is seen as a test. Does corporate fraud in tech end with a slap on the wrist, or prison time? ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2022, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trial-of-elizabeth-holmes-theranos-sentenced-to-11-yrs-18nov2022/946138/347 "2022-11-18T20:08:58Z")
Is there a live link? ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2022, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trial-of-elizabeth-holmes-theranos-sentenced-to-11-yrs-18nov2022/946138/348 "2022-11-18T20:09:31Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > Prosecutors ask for 15 years. > > Defence asks for 18 months home arrest. My prediction: 4 years. ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2022, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trial-of-elizabeth-holmes-theranos-sentenced-to-11-yrs-18nov2022/946138/349 "2022-11-18T20:13:16Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > Is there a live link? I haven’t found one, but I’ve been following tweets from this reporter at the trial. [https://twitter.com/scottbudman](https://twitter.com/scottbudman) ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2022, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trial-of-elizabeth-holmes-theranos-sentenced-to-11-yrs-18nov2022/946138/350 "2022-11-18T20:14:32Z")
Will we get the verdict before Twitter crashes? 🫣 ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2022, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trial-of-elizabeth-holmes-theranos-sentenced-to-11-yrs-18nov2022/946138/351 "2022-11-18T20:15:27Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > My prediction: 4 years. 8 years. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2022, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trial-of-elizabeth-holmes-theranos-sentenced-to-11-yrs-18nov2022/946138/352 "2022-11-18T20:21:31Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > 8 years . I should have looked at the guidelines before I put my number out there. I really have no idea. But what the hell, I’ll keep my number. ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2022, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trial-of-elizabeth-holmes-theranos-sentenced-to-11-yrs-18nov2022/946138/353 "2022-11-18T20:43:48Z")
From the on-site reporter: “The judge says evidence shows Elizabeth Holmes was leader of the company, but not necessarily the leader of the criminal acts.” That suggests she’s not getting the full sentence requested by prosecutors… ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2022, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trial-of-elizabeth-holmes-theranos-sentenced-to-11-yrs-18nov2022/946138/354 "2022-11-18T20:45:31Z")
Ruling on the money: judge puts investor losses at $384M, less than the $804M the prosecution asked for. This is pertinent to the restitution she might have to pay. ETA: now the judge has said the “reasonable loss” is $121M, and he will set a date in the future to determine what Holmes must pay. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2022, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trial-of-elizabeth-holmes-theranos-sentenced-to-11-yrs-18nov2022/946138/355 "2022-11-18T21:01:09Z")
> [@TroutMan](#): > > From the on-site reporter: “The judge says evidence shows Elizabeth Holmes was leader of the company, but not necessarily the leader of the criminal acts.” “It was that other girl…the one with the weirdly deep voice who always wore black turtlenecks.” Holmes is going to end up doing at most two years in a minimum security facility and another couple of years on “house arrest” doing some kind of vaguely charitable restitution penance. Five years from now, she’ll form a new company claiming to diagnosis your emotional problems from urinalysis and people will be throwing $10M checks at her like confetti. So it goes. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2022, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trial-of-elizabeth-holmes-theranos-sentenced-to-11-yrs-18nov2022/946138/356 "2022-11-18T21:06:58Z")
Hah! 😀 But seriously, the judge name-checked Sunny Bulwani in his comment about her not leading the crime. Bulwani must be sweating in advance of his sentencing next month. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2022, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trial-of-elizabeth-holmes-theranos-sentenced-to-11-yrs-18nov2022/946138/357 "2022-11-18T21:23:27Z")
Do these final statements ever actually change the judge’s decision or is it all just theater? ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2022, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trial-of-elizabeth-holmes-theranos-sentenced-to-11-yrs-18nov2022/946138/358 "2022-11-18T21:41:54Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > Do these final statements ever actually change the judge’s decision or is it all just theater ? It can. Slightly. Depends on the judge, and the facts ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2022, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trial-of-elizabeth-holmes-theranos-sentenced-to-11-yrs-18nov2022/946138/359 "2022-11-18T21:49:09Z")
It sounds like Alex Schultz (father of ex-Theranos employee Tyler and son of investor George) is giving some intense testimony. Select quotes: > Elizabeth Holmes “hired a private investigator to follow my son.” > “My son slept with a knife, because he was afraid of being killed.” > > The Theranos experience “was grueling. I felt like my family home was desecrated.” > > Alex Shultz, voice shaking, recalls Theranos lawyers coming into his house “without Tyler having any way to represent himself.” > > “There’s a lot of talk about Sunny and Elizabeth. From my family’s perspective, Elizabeth is their Sunny Balwani. She took advantage of my family.” ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2022, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trial-of-elizabeth-holmes-theranos-sentenced-to-11-yrs-18nov2022/946138/360 "2022-11-18T22:03:50Z")
Tyler _Shultz_ reported that Holmes directly gaslighted him after he reported with that results were tampered with. His parents had to take out a second mortgage on their house to fund his legal expenses after lawyers representing Theranos attacked his credibility and accused him of violating his non-disclosure agreement. Private investigators did investigate and follow both Shultz and Erika Cheung (another Theranos employee who was also interviewed by John Carreyrou and who briefly left the country because of fear of legal reprisal). There are, of course, hundreds of employees whose investment of time and reputation was materially harmed by the fraud perpetrated by Holmes and Balwani, and of course customers who relied upon the results of Theranos testing for medical information, so the harms aren’t just the lost of capital from gullible investors. Stranger [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trial-of-elizabeth-holmes-theranos-sentenced-to-11-yrs-18nov2022/946138.md?page=17) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trial-of-elizabeth-holmes-theranos-sentenced-to-11-yrs-18nov2022/946138.md?page=19)