Ghislaine Maxwell trial: jury asks to review transcripts from three accusers
The jury in Ghislaine Maxwell’s sextrafficking trial asked on Tuesday to review transcripts of testimony from three accusers.
Jurors in Manhattan federal court sent the judge a note around 10.10am, saying: “We would like the transcripts, testimony of Jane, Annie and Carolyn.”
Jane, who testified under a pseudonym, said Epstein started to sexually abuse her when she was 14. She told jurors Maxwell was sometimes present for, and participated in, such abuse.
She also discussed alleged group sexual encounters and recalled meeting Maxwell in summer 1994, at a youth arts camp in Michigan.
Carolyn, who testified under her first name, was also 14 when Epstein started to abuse her in the early 2000s. Prior to a sexualized massage, she said, Maxwell “came in and felt my boobs and my hips and my buttocks and said … that I had a great body for Mr Epstein and his friends”.
Carolyn said Virginia Giuffre, an outspoken Maxwell and Epstein accuser, introduced her to the pair.
Annie Farmer, who identified herself, testified that she went to Epstein’s New Mexico estate in spring 1996, when she was 16.
Maxwell allegedly asked Farmer if she had ever had a professional massage. Farmer testified that Maxwell “said to get undressed and get [under] the sheet on the massage table, and I did. She pulled the sheet down and exposed my breasts, and started rubbing on my chest and on my upper breast.”
Jurors did not ask to see testimony from Kate, the second woman who testified against Maxwell at trial. Kate alleged Maxwell lured her into sexual encounters with Epstein at age 17 in London, under the guise of giving him a massage, around 1994.
Kate was above the age of consent where those encounters took place.
Prior to her testimony, Nathan told jurors: “I instruct you that this witness is not a victim of the crimes charged in the indictment. To the extent you conclude her testimony is relevant to the issues before you, you may consider it.
“However, you may not convict the defendant on the basis of the testimony regarding the sexual conduct between this witness and Mr Epstein, nor may you consider this testimony as any kind of reflection on Mr Epstein’s nor Ms Maxwell’s character or propensity to commit any crimes charged in the indictment.”
Jurors began deliberations late on Monday after closing arguments consumed most of the day, but they worked less than an hour, in a large room where they can spread out for coronavirus safety reasons, before going home.
Their first request came after about two hours of deliberation: nearly one hour Monday afternoon and about one on Tuesday.
Maxwell, 59, was tried on six counts for her alleged involvement in ex-boyfriend Jeffrey Epstein’s sex-trafficking of minor teens.
Prosecutors say Maxwell recruited and groomed the girls, making them feel sexualized massages were normal behavior.
Maxwell, who pleaded not guilty, has been held without bail since July 2020.
Epstein, a financier and convicted sex offender who counted Prince Andrew and Donald Trump among his powerful associates, killed himself about a month after his July 2019 arrest for sex-trafficking girls as young as 14.
Maxwell’s lawyers say the government has used her as a scapegoat for Epstein’s crimes.
On Tuesday afternoon the judge indicated to the jury that if they needed to continue deliberations into this Thursday that would be permitted. Court had previously been due to run only through Wednesday and resume next Monday if necessary.
Information and support for anyone affected by rape or sexual abuse issues is available from the following organisations. In the US, Rainn offers support on 800-656-4673. In the UK, Rape Crisis offers support on 0808 802 9999. In Australia, support is available at 1800Respect (1800 737 732). Other international helplines can be found at ibiblio.org /rcip/internl.html