Finding out Time: 2 minutes
- Two men accused of kidnapping and torturing an Italian in Fresh York for his bitcoins cling pleaded no longer guilty
- John Woeltz and William Duplessie whisper costs of kidnapping, torture, and attempted extortion in reference to the alleged crypto-connected abduction
- Protection attorneys cling countered that the sufferer became free to advance reduction and plod, became captured in procure collectively-esteem scenes, and that the prosecution has selectively leaked images and video clips to misinform the court docket
Two men accused of orchestrating a brutal, crypto-driven kidnapping in Fresh York Metropolis cling pleaded no longer guilty to a series of violent criminal costs. Prosecutors order John Woeltz and William Duplessie held an Italian man hostage for nearly three weeks in a SoHo townhouse, torturing him in an strive and power access to his multimillion-buck Bitcoin wallet. But defense attorneys issue the alleged sufferer became free to advance reduction and plod, and cling presented images and movies they snort showcase him partying, browsing, and attending church proper by the supposed ordeal.
Horrid Allegations of Torture
In accordance with the Fresh york District Attorney’s Express of job, Woeltz and Duplessie lured the sufferer into their put in Could maybe furthermore sooner than restraining him and subjecting him to horrific abuse. Prosecutors snort the boys pistol-whipped him, inflicted cuts utilizing a minute chainsaw, apprehensive him with electrical wires, and even doused him in tequila sooner than setting him on fireplace—allegedly extinguishing the flames with urine. The ordeal became supposed, they issue, to coerce the man into handing over access to a Bitcoin wallet.
When Woeltz became later arrested in Kentucky, federal brokers reportedly seized weapons, ammunition, and big sums of cash.
Protection Argues Sufferer Became Now not a Prisoner
Attorneys representing the day earlier than on the present time pushed reduction forcefully against the costs, however, arguing that the sufferer became no longer held captive in any admire but as an alternative chose to preserve on the property. “The memoir that he’s promoting correct doesn’t perform sense,” said defense lawyer Sam Talkin, who cited video evidence of the alleged sufferer dining out, attending church, and laughing with others proper by his time on the put. Woeltz’s lawyer added that the man had “a full bunch of alternatives” to plod away but by no technique did.
Prosecutors disclosed they’re investigating extra capability victims who could well also simply cling been subjected to identical remedy in various incidents racy the identical suspects. In one case, authorities snort photographic evidence shows one other particular person being arrangement on fireplace, raising concerns a pair of broader pattern of violence tied to digital asset extortion.
Fresh york Supreme Court Justice Gregory Carro denied bail for both men, citing the violent nature of the allegations and the threat of flight. The case will return to court docket on July 15 for further complaints.
