|
 Holmes, 37, is accused of making false claims about Theranos,
including that its technology could run a range of diagnostic tests
more quickly and accurately than conventional laboratory testing
with a drop of blood from a finger prick.
Removing her blue mask to testify, Holmes said that her work at
Theranos led her to believe in the company's technology.
Holmes told the jury about early efforts to raise capital,
testifying that she had met with Silicon Valley venture capitalist
Don Lucas, who ultimately invested in Theranos and became the
chairman of its board.
"I knew him as someone who focused on building great companies for
the long term," she said. "He had a lot of questions.
Lucas "began a very comprehensive diligence process," including
asking for Theranos' financial information, Holmes added.
Once touted as the Steve Jobs of biotech, Holmes and Theranos'
fortunes waned after the Wall Street Journal published a series of
articles starting in 2015 that suggested its devices were flawed and
inaccurate.
The willingness of Holmes to testify adds to the buzz surrounding
the trial. Defendants are not required to testify in criminal cases,
but sometimes do so in a bid to create reasonable doubt about their
guilt by punching holes in the prosecution's case.
A major risk is that prosecutors can cross examine them, in an
effort to expose possible inconsistencies or lies in their
testimony.
Holmes has pleaded not guilty to nine counts of wire fraud and two
counts of conspiracy.
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 Over the course of the
two-month trial, jurors in San Jose, California,
have heard testimony from more than two dozen
prosecution witnesses, including patients and
investors whom prosecutors say Holmes deceived.
At the close of their case on Friday,
prosecutors moved to dismiss one count of fraud
regarding a patient.
Defense attorney Lance Wade told jurors during
opening statements in September that Holmes had
been a young, hardworking entrepreneur who
underestimated the obstacles Theranos faced.
He said the trial would show Holmes to be "a
living, breathing human being who did her very
best each and every day."
On Friday, Holmes described having been absorbed
in lab research when she decided to leave
Stanford University to start Theranos in 2003 at
the age of 19.
She also said she had introduced early investors
to representatives from pharmaceutical companies
that Theranos was in talks with.
Holmes' testimony will resume on Monday morning.
(Reporting by Jody Godoy;Editing by Noeleen
Walder, Bill Berkrot and Sandra Maler)
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