Ghislaine Maxwell Trial Update
The criminal trial of Ghislaine Maxwell is expected to be finished before Christmas instead of the originally projected six weeks.
Maxwell, a British socialite whose father was a billionaire, has become infamous for her connection with convicted sex offender and pedophile, the late Jeffrey Epstein. It's unclear when they were officially romantically involved or when they shifted into more than friends and work associates. However, the prosecution made it clear it believed they were “partners in crime.”
The defence team is making the case Maxwell was a pawn and victim to Epstein.
Maxwell is currently being charged with:
Conspiracy to entice minors to travel to engage in illegal sex acts
Enticement of a minor to travel to engage in illegal sex acts
Conspiracy to transport minors with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity
Transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity
Sex trafficking conspiracy
Sex trafficking of a minor
Maxwell was also to be charged with two counts of perjury for allegedly lying under oath in 2016 during a deposition. The defence managed to have a judge defer that to a separate trial, that has not yet happened.
Maxwell has pleaded not guilty to the above charges with her lawyer saying that she is being used as a scapegoat since Epstein is no longer alive to stand trial. Epstein is believed to have committed suicide in jail Aug. 10, 2019 while awaiting his trial for sex trafficking charges. That being said, there are lots of questions surrounding his death. Such as, why even though he was on suicide watch did no guards or cameras witness the event.
The prosecution has presented four woman that have testified as witnesses sharing their stories that reveal Maxwell's alleged involvement in the process of grooming under age girls to take part in sexual acts with Epstein. The witnesses have also testified that Maxwell would join in the sexual activities at times.
Three of the witnesses have chosen to use pseudonyms, Jane, Kate and Carolyn. While Annie Farmer used her full name.
U.S. District Judge Alison Nathan has ruled that two of the witnesses (Kate, Farmer) were old enough to consent to the alleged sexual encounters, and therefore it was not illegal. Kate was 17 years old and Farmer was 16 years old when they allege they were sexually abused by Epstein and Maxwell. Jane and Carolyn were 14 years old.
Farmer has been speaking out about Epstein for over 20 years, and was even interviewed in 2003 for an article in Vanity Fair that would shine a light on the sexual abuse. However, when the article was published her story was taken out.
In 2008 Epstein became a convicted sex offender.
This trial is not just about witnesses accusing Epstein and Maxwell of sexual misconduct, many people have been hopeful this trial would bring to light and clarify the other powerful people that have taken part in alleged sex trafficking, and the abuse of minors.
That being said there doesn't seem to be the media attention or uproar about this trial you may think would happen with the potential of past presidents, big Hollywood stars and members of the Royal Family being associated with Maxwell's alleged criminal actions.
Maxwell's trial is not being televised, because it is a federal trial. According to Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 53 there is no visual recording or photos allowed to take place. This is why there are only paintings of the trial.
Maxwell was arrested in July 2020 and has been in solitary confinement without bail since. The trial started Nov. 29, 2021. If charged she can face up to 80 years in prison.