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• Two males accused of kidnapping and torturing an Italian in Novel York for his bitcoins bear pleaded no longer guilty
• John Woeltz and William Duplessie disclose prices of kidnapping, torture, and attempted extortion in connection with the alleged crypto-connected abduction
• Defense attorneys bear countered that the victim used to be free to come lend a hand and streak, used to be captured in celebration-fancy scenes, and that the prosecution has selectively leaked photos and video clips to misinform the court

Two males accused of orchestrating a brutal, crypto-pushed kidnapping in Novel York City bear pleaded no longer guilty to a series of violent felony prices. Prosecutors inform John Woeltz and William Duplessie held an Italian man hostage for nearly three weeks in a SoHo townhouse, torturing him in an try and drive entry to his multimillion-buck Bitcoin wallet. However defense attorneys impart the alleged victim used to be free to come lend a hand and streak, and bear offered photos and movies they are saying display veil him partying, searching, and attending church at some stage within the supposed ordeal.

Private investigator Swish Allegations of Torture

Consistent with the Novel york District Lawyer’s Space of job, Woeltz and Duplessie lured the victim into their situation in Would possibly possibly also fair earlier than restraining him and subjecting him to horrific abuse. Prosecutors inform the males pistol-whipped him, inflicted cuts the utilization of a exiguous chainsaw, afraid him with electrical wires, and even doused him in tequila earlier than setting him on fire—allegedly extinguishing the flames with urine. The ordeal used to be supposed, they impart, to coerce the person into handing over entry to a Bitcoin wallet.

When Woeltz used to be later arrested in Kentucky, federal agents reportedly seized weapons, ammunition, and spacious sums of money.

Private investigator Defense Argues Sufferer Used to be No longer a Prisoner

Attorneys representing the day prior to this pushed lend a hand forcefully against the costs, then again, arguing that the victim used to be no longer held captive the least bit nonetheless as a substitute chose to live on the property. “The account that he’s promoting fair doesn’t construct sense,” stated defense authorized knowledgeable Sam Talkin, who cited video proof of the alleged victim dining out, attending church, and laughing with others at some stage in his time on the situation. Woeltz’s authorized knowledgeable added that the person had “many of of opportunities” to streak away nonetheless by no methodology did.

Prosecutors disclosed they are investigating extra capability victims who will were subjected to identical treatment in varied incidents though-provoking the identical suspects. In one case, authorities inform photographic proof reveals one other person being utter on fire, elevating concerns about a broader sample of violence tied to digital asset extortion.

Novel york Supreme Court docket Justice Gregory Carro denied bail for every males, citing the violent nature of the allegations and the chance of flight. The case will return to court on July 15 for extra court cases.