The jury deliberating the destiny of Ghislaine Maxwell at her intercourse trafficking trial requested a white board and totally different coloured sticky notes Monday because it signaled that it had loads of work to do after a protracted vacation weekend.
Jurors in Manhattan federal courtroom additionally requested the transcripts of some trial testimony and the definition of “enticement.” Decide Alison J. Nathan referred them to her authorized directions that she learn to them simply earlier than they started deliberations per week in the past.
The British socialite is charged with recruiting and grooming youngsters as younger as 14 to be sexually assaulted by financier Jeffrey Epstein. Maxwell’s attorneys say she was a U.S. authorities scapegoat after Epstein killed himself in 2019 in a Manhattan federal jail cell whereas awaiting a intercourse trafficking trial.
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Ghislaine Maxwell trial jury breaks for holidays after 2 days with no verdict
Maxwell, who was behind bars for her sixtieth birthday Saturday, was described as a central element to Epstein’s plans by 4 girls who testified they have been sexually abused as youngsters by Epstein with assist from Maxwell when she was his girlfriend and afterward.
Maxwell’s attorneys mentioned the reminiscences of her accusers have been corrupted by the passage of time and the affect of attorneys steering them towards multimillion-dollar payouts from a fund set as much as compensate Epstein victims.
The jury, which deliberated two full days final week, already has requested to overview the testimony of the 4 girls, together with former Epstein housekeeper Juan Patricio Alessi. They’ve given little trace of their total progress on six fees, together with a intercourse trafficking rely that carries a possible penalty of as much as 40 years in jail.
On Monday, jurors requested for the transcript of testimony by “Matt,” the pseudonym of a tv actor who testified that he’s the ex-boyfriend of “Jane,” the pseudonym of an actor who is without doubt one of the 4 accusers who testified towards Maxwell. The decide had dominated that some witnesses within the trial might testify with solely first names or pseudonyms to guard their privateness.
Matt, who lived with Jane from 2007 to 2014, testified that Jane initially described Epstein as a godfather who helped her household pay payments after her father’s sickness and demise depleted their funds. She was 14 when she met Epstein.
He mentioned she ultimately advised him that the assistance Epstein offered “wasn’t free,” however didn’t present any particulars about what occurred.
When he was requested what her demeanor was like when he requested Jane questions on her encounters with Epstein, he testified that she was “ashamed, embarrassed, horrified.”
Matt mentioned she additionally advised him that she felt extra comfy in her encounters with Epstein as a result of there was a lady round. Matt mentioned he contacted Jane after Maxwell’s July 2020 arrest and requested her if Maxwell was the girl she had referenced as making her really feel extra comfy in her dealings with Epstein.
He testified that she confirmed Maxwell was the girl.
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