Self-described “Crypto King” Aiden Pleterski addressed the jury for the first time at his Toronto fraud trial, thanking them, in his brief closing statement Wednesday morning.

“I am the least qualified person here to give a closing statement,” Pleterski said in Ontario Superior Court.

“However, that being said, I am innocent of these charges. That is why I pled not guilty. Had I not been forced to represent myself, that would have been proven. That’s all I have to say.”

Pleterski represented himself at his trial, where he only cross-examined the first of 14 witnesses  the Crown called and decided not to call evidence in his defence or to testify himself. When asked by Justice Shaun Nakatsuru whether he had questions for several of the…