Excellent question, and I'd like to know more about that angle.

I've seen nothing about it publicly, other than comments that it would have annoyed the judge for Aaron to have publicized the details of what was going on. And, of course, if nobody knew what he was actually going through or what it would cost, nobody would have donated to him. After all we all thought he had money from Reddit.

So the golden question is why the judge would be annoyed. Is it just a vague fear that the judge would not take kindly to an attempt to bias the jury by starting a media shitstorm? Was there a specific discussion that dissuaded him? Did his lawyer point out that his public statements could directly disadvantage him in the court? I have no idea, and wish I did know better.

But the fact is that, for whatever reason, he didn't think he could speak publicly. And without speaking, he could not possibly have raised a significant sum of money.