Maxwell tells US judge: I don’t NEED to testify
She refuses to take the stand despite chaos over witnesses for her defence
GHISLAINE Maxwell defiantly declared last night: ‘There is no need for me to testify.’
The alleged child sex trafficker told jurors that the prosecutors had failed to prove her guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
In her first words in her two and a half week New York trial, the British socialite stood by her lawyer Bobbi Sternheim – who had a supportive arm around her – and explained she would not be giving evidence in her own defence.
The judge had told her: ‘I want to make sure you understand you have the right to testify in your own defence.
‘You also have the right not to testify. If you don’t testify the jury may not draw any inference based on that decision.’
Maxwell, in a black turtleneck jumper and black mask, clutched her hands together at her waist and said in a confident voice: ‘Your honour, the government has not proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt so there is no need for me to testify.’
It comes as her lawyers pleaded yesterday that Maxwell’s ‘life is on the line’ as her defence case closed after just a day and a half with only nine out of the trumpeted 35 witnesses having actually taken the stand.
Her defence team previously said that three witnesses called ‘Eva, Kelly and Michelle’ were lined up to offer their backing to the British socialite who faces life in jail for allegedly procuring schoolgirls for sexual abuse by financier Jeffrey Epstein. But yesterday it emerged Kelly had ‘refused’ to respond to a court summons issued two and a half weeks ago. Maxwell’s lawyers said they would not call for Kelly to be arrested for failure to comply with a summons. Meanwhile, a surprise witness emerged as 81-year-old Kevin Moran, owner of the Nags Head in Belgravia – Maxwell’s local pub close to her London townhouse. But there was further farce as a row ensued in court because he cannot travel to New York until Monday and the judge refused to ‘delay’ the trial.
Her lawyers later announced Mr Moran would not be called as a witness. At the Nags Head last night, a barmaid said Mr Moran was not available for comment.
His significance in the defence case could have been to undermine claims by one of the accusers about being lured to the socialite’s home.
Maxwell, 59, who denies six charges of sex trafficking underage girls for abuse, appeared distressed in court as she held animated discussions with her £5million legal team.
On day 12 of the trial – the second day of her defence case – Judge Alison Nathan became increasingly exasperated.
When the jurors took their seats, the first two witnesses called to defend Maxwell turned out to be FBI agents who had led the investigation into her alleged sex trafficking. Neither offered her much comfort.
Her lawyer Laura Menninger then said the witness named Kelly had refused to respond to a summons and Judge Nathan was
‘Increasingly exasperated’
annoyed to hear about this only now. Miss Menninger replied: ‘Our client’s life is on the line and we are being given one and a half days to put on a defence.’
In a further sign of disarray, witness Dr Eva AnderssonDubin – the mother of Epstein’s goddaughter – was called to defend Maxwell but appeared to strike a blow against her when shown a photo of her child.
Jurors previously saw a photo from Epstein’s desk in which he was pulling down the underwear of his goddaughter – who was then aged under ten – and pretending to bite her bottom.
Her lawyer Christian Everdell described it as ‘a playful moment’. Yesterday Maxwell’s other lawyer Jeffrey Pagliuca showed the girl’s mother a series of photographs and, regarding one of them, asked her if she recognised her daughter. Dr Andersson-Dubin, 60, confirmed she did but added coldly: ‘I have never seen this photo before.’ Mr Pagliuca moved swiftly on and it was not clear which photo she was shown.
Dr Andersson-Dubin is Epstein’s ex-girlfriend. In testimony earlier in the trial, accuser Jane claimed a woman named ‘Eva’ had taken part in orgies with her at Epstein’s villa. Yesterday Mr Pagliuca asked the doctor: ‘Have you ever been in a group sexualised encounter with the person we are calling Jane?’ She replied: ‘Absolutely not’.
The defence case ended last night with Maxwell deciding not to give evidence. The jury will hear closing submissions from the prosecution and defence on Monday, before being sent out to start their deliberations.
‘Her life is on the line’