Two Crypto Kings in Court for Bitcoin Torture

In a courtroom in Manhattan, a second man, William Duplessie, was brought before a judge on serious charges. He was accused of being involved in the kidnapping and torture of an Italian man who made millions from bitcoin. This all happened in a fancy townhouse in SoHo. Duplessie looked unhappy as he stood in court, knowing he would not be released on bail. Duplessie, a 33-year-old who trades in cryptocurrency, had been enjoying a weekend in the Hamptons before his court appearance. His lawyer tried to convince the judge that the facts of the case were not clear and that his client's involvement was questionable. The lawyer argued that more details would show his client was not guilty. Duplessie faces charges of kidnapping, assault, and illegal weapon possession. The victim, Michael Valentino Teofrasto Carturan, is said to have been held captive in the townhouse. He was allegedly tortured to reveal his bitcoin password, which would give access to millions of dollars. Another man, John Woeltz, has already been charged in the case. Woeltz, known as the "Kentucky crypto king, " is also accused of the same crimes and is being held without bail at Rikers Island. Duplessie's lawyer asked for a $1 million bail, claiming his client would not run away. He suggested Duplessie could live with his father and wear an ankle monitor to ensure he stayed in New York. However, Judge Julieta Lozano decided to keep Duplessie in custody, stating it was necessary to ensure he would return to court. She also ordered him to hand over his passport and issued a protection order for the victim. Carturan was reportedly lured to the townhouse on May 6 and held there until he escaped on a Friday. He was allegedly tied to a chair, beaten with a gun, hung from a staircase, and even had his limbs cut with a chainsaw. Video footage showed Carturan, barefoot and injured, running to an NYPD officer for help after escaping. Duplessie and Woeltz allegedly had a falling out over a crypto hedge fund they both invested in. The investigation continues, with more details expected to come to light.