The CryptoShow's FreeRoss Fundraiser Continues With Live Show

A jury convicted Ulbricht earlier this year of operating the Silk Road marketplace. His lawyers argue that prosecutors suppressed evidence and he did not receive a fair trial. The court limited the defense's cross-examinations and prevented them from calling witnesses that would have contradicted the government's account of how investigators located the Silk Road's servers. Two key investigators faced well-documented corruption allegations, but the court barred discussion of those actions. Complaints about the life sentence's severity led Ulbricht and his team to appeal both the conviction and sentencing.

The auction features over 23 items. Ulbricht's parents, Lyn and Kirk, donated a week-long stay at a bamboo house in Costa Rica. Cody Wilson contributed a signed CNC GhostGunner machine designed to create AR-15 lower receivers, advertised through Roger Ver's Memory Dealers. Alex Winters signed a Blu-ray copy of the Deep Dot Web documentary. Supporters can contribute through a Bitcoin address, 1Ross5Np5doy4ajF9iGXzgKaC2Q3Pwwxv, or other payment methods.

Ulbricht's handwritten message to supporters read: "They fought tooth and nail trying to secure my conviction, but went way too far suppressing all of the evidence that contradicts their story. Now it is our turn to pull out the stops and show exactly what was done, so the wrongs can be set right, and this terrifying precedent can be rolled back. I will always stand with you for freedom."

The in-person fundraiser happens tonight from 4 to 10 p.m. at Brave New Books, a libertarian bookshop at 1904 Guadalupe Street in Austin, Texas. Harlan Dietrich organized the event. He hosts the daily Crypto Show on Austin radio stations 90.1 and 89.1 FM from 8 to 10 p.m. CST and owns the bookshop. The venue features live music, free beer, pizza, and a screening of the Deep Dot Web documentary with Winters. The online auction continues until all items sell. The fundraiser began June 18 with a goal of raising $10,000.