Martin Shkreli’s Lawyer Says Pharma Bro Is ‘Strange,’ ‘Weird,’ And ‘Maybe Just Nuts’

In a trial opening that fell well in line with Martin Shkreli’s bizarre behavior, his lawyer called the notorious “Pharma Bro” “strange" and “weird” and quoted pop star Lady Gaga twice. During the awe-inducing speech in Brooklyn Federal Court Wednesday, attorney Benjamin Brafman maintained his client’s innocence.

“Maybe he’s just nuts, but that doesn’t legally make him guilty,” said Brafman. “Will you find him strange? Yes. Will you find him weird? Yes!”

Read: How Much Is Martin Shkreli Worth Before His Trial Begins?

The infamous ex-pharmaceutical entrepreneur began his trial for what prosecutors allege was a “Ponzi-like” scheme in which he lied to investors and stole millions from his company to cover losses. Shkreli repeatedly made headlines over the past few years for his flagrantly controversial behavior after he raised the price of a life-saving drug by 5,000 percent in 2015: from $13.50 to $750 per pill.

Brafman, however, portrayed him as a man made fun of by colleagues for his odd sensibilities and said he was mocked by those who questioned his sexuality. He also called Shkreli an “odd duck” who frequently donned bunny slippers and a stethoscope while walking around his office at Retrophin as CEO. Brafman said Shkreli often slept in a sleeping bag in his office at night to help develop a cure for a deadly disease affecting children, according to CNBC.

“As Lady Gaga said, he was born this way,” Brafman reportedly told jurors. “You wanna call him names? Call him names. Just don’t call him guilty. Cause he’s not guilty.”

Brafman then invoked Lady Gaga’s words a second time when he cited the lyrics from her song “Million Reasons” in which she said “I just need one good one to stay.”

“The government’s going to stand up and give you 100 million reasons to convict Mr. Shkreli,” said Brafman. “I’m going to give you one good reason to acquit him… He’s not guilty.”

Brafman ended his explosive speech by saying, “Buckle up your seat belts, ladies and gentlemen, you’re in for a good ride,” before walking over to hug Shkreli.

Federal Prosecutor G. Karthik Srinivasan fired back by calling Shkreli a “con man” who masterminded a fraud operating “by convincing [investors] he was a Wall Street genius.” Srinivasan said the pharmaceutical entrepreneur stole more than $10 million from Retrophin and its shareholders. Shkreli was charged with eight criminal counts of conspiracy to commit securities and wire fraud and securities fraud but pleaded not guilty to all charges.

“I’m so innocent, the jury, judge and prosecution are gonna give me an apology,” Shkreli said, according to a New York Times report citing a since deleted live stream.

Shkreli’s publicly controversial behavior proved damning for him once jury selection began. More than 300 prospective jurors had to be dismissed after expressing overtly negative opinions about him, according to MarketWatch.

“The only thing I would be impartial about,” one juror reportedly said Wednesday, “is which prison he goes to.”

Shkreli’s trial was expected to last about a month and could land him behind bars for up to 20 years if he’s convicted.