Update on Samourai Wallet Developers’ Pre-Trial Hearing

Today, the fourth pre-trial hearing for the United States’ case against the Samourai Wallet developers took place in the Southern District of New York.

> I attended the most recent status conference for the Samourai case today.
>
> Here’s an update from outside the courthouse:
> — Frank Corva (@frankcorva) March 18, 2025

This is the second time that the two developers, Keonne Rodriguez and William Lonergan Hill, have appeared together in public since the previous status conference on September 17, 2024.

Today’s hearing was the shortest and least substantive of the four pre-trial hearings that have occurred thus far.

Pre-Trial Motion Schedule

At the hearing, the prosecution and the defense established and agreed upon the pre-trial motion schedule:

• May 9, 2025 — Opening motion
• June 6, 2025 — Prosecution’s response to the opening motion
• June 20, 2025 — Replies to the prosecution’s response

Expert Disclosure

The prosecution is set to provide its expert disclosure on July 15, 2025, while the defense is expected to provide it by August 8, 2025. Further expert disclosure may also be permitted on July 16, 2025 at 10:00 AM EST, which is when the next in-person pre-trial hearing is scheduled.

Hill To Remain In Lisbon

Hill’s attorney asked Judge Richard Berman, who is presiding over the case, if the court would allow Hill not to appear at future pre-trial hearings since he is living with his wife in Lisbon, Portugal, and traveling back and forth to New York City is costly. The attorney noted that pre-trial services supported this request. The judge agreed, stating he didn’t see any problem with this.

Rodriguez Expresses Gratitude

After the hearing, Rodriguez expressed gratitude to all who donated to the Peer-to-Peer Rights Fund, which helps to fund the developers’ legal defense. Those interested can still donate.

Trial Start Date

The trial is scheduled to begin on November 3, 2025.

This article first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Frank Corva.