Katherine B. Forrest

Katherine B. Forrest set rules for presenting Silk Road's written chats and instructed jurors on evaluating the evidence. She barred paralegal readings while permitting readings involving prosecutors or witnesses, and explained that the written exhibit, rather than counsel's reading, was the evidence. Her preliminary instructions placed the burden of proof on the government and prohibited outside research and case discussions.

Forrest admitted Silk Road records and recovered laptop materials over defense objections, explaining authentication and hearsay grounds while preserving objections. She distinguished receipt of electronic documents from whether their statements could be considered for their truth. Some alleged defendant statements remained subject to connection.

A recurring dispute concerned evidence that someone other than Ulbricht operated Silk Road as DPR. Forrest limited agent opinions about alternative suspects while allowing competent alternative-perpetrator evidence. She ordered selected testimony excluded and instructed jurors to disregard investigative suspicions about others, not the agent's remaining testimony. She permitted factual writing comparisons but excluded the agent's conclusions, and later excluded Defense Exhibit E as hearsay.

Forrest denied the motion to strike Ilhwan Yum's bitcoin testimony and maintained the exclusion of proposed defense bitcoin testimony, also denying a related mistrial request. She kept government drug-weight estimates out when the government declined to provide supporting data required for possible admission. As the defense case developed, she limited Bridget Prince to factual observations of records and denied acquittal on all counts.

Forrest worked through disputed jury instructions in charge conferences, then instructed jurors on seven counts and reiterated reasonable doubt and count-by-count unanimity before deliberations on Day 12. After the jury returned guilty verdicts on all seven counts and each juror confirmed them, she discharged the jury and set sentencing for May 15.