A second day of jury proceedings was completed. The jury considered the fate of the British socialite on charges that she recruited and trained teenage girls to abuse financier Jeffrey Epstein over a period of 10 years, 1994-2004. After the Christmas holiday, jurors will return Monday to consider whether an offer to work was made by Epstein.
U.S. District Judge Alison J. Nathan advised jurors that they should be protected against the coronavirus for the next four days, as there has been a dramatic rise in New York City infections. Nathan stated that the Manhattan federal courthouse, where they meet, will have stricter protocols for their reconvening. Jurors will need to wear hospital-grade masks.
She said, “I need all of you here and healthy on Monday.”
In the seven-day period ending Tuesday, more than 89,000 New York City residents tested positive for the virus.
Jurors requested transcripts of testimony from one accuser, Kate, as well as Juan Patricio Alessi, former Epstein housekeeper. Alessi stated that he witnessed “many, many many, many” female visitors while working at Epstein’s Florida estate from 1990 to 2002. They were often in their 20s and often lounging by the pool topless. Alessi also stated that the Epstein house was frequented by two teenage accusers.
The transcripts of the testimonies of the three other accusers were requested by jurors Tuesday, the first day of full-day deliberations. After closing arguments and instructions, jurors met for just an hour Monday.
Maxwell, who was 59 at the time, was taken into custody in July 2020. She has been held without bail since then. Prosecutors claim that Maxwell, a former boyfriend, was a groomer for young girls, often in exchange for $100 bills.
Two weeks ago, prosecutors sought to prove that Maxwell was Epstein’s key enabler through more than a dozen witnesses. Prosecutors claim that Maxwell sometimes participated in the abuse, after she recruited girls with promises that Epstein’s wealth and powerful connections would enable them to achieve their dreams. The government stated that many of the girls were from financially poor families who lived in difficult or stressful circumstances.
Defense lawyers claim that Maxwell is being tried as a scapegoat for the sex trafficking allegations against Epstein, which were dismantled with Epstein’s 2019 suicide in Manhattan federal prison while he waited to be tried.
