Ghislaine Maxwell Guilty in Sex-Trafficking Case

Ghislaine Maxwell, a former partner of disgraceful financier Jeffrey Epstein, was convicted  Wednesday for recruiting, caring for, and harassing minors, under Epstein’s orders. A federal jury in Manhattan found Maxwell, the daughter of the British media mogul, guilty of sexual trafficking and five other accusations against her. She was acquitted for seducing minors and committing illegal sexual activity across state borders. 

Maxwell's trial was widely regarded as the court that Epstein had never experienced. Epstein, who was arrested at the age of 66 in July 2019, committed suicide the following month in a cell.  Maxwell was arrested a year later. The verdict for Maxwells’ case was issued late in the afternoon of the fifth day of the jury trial. After sending a message that the jury had made a decision, Maxwell was taken to court in dark clothes and a dark mask and sat in the corner of the defense table. 

Jury entered the courtroom at 5:04 pm and Judge Alison J. Nathan read the verdict aloud: 5 out of 6 were guilty. Maxwell sat quietly while the verdict was being read. Then she touched her face, poured water into the cup again and drank. She leaned over and spoke to one of the lawyers, who tapped her shoulders. After the jury left the court, Maxwell stood up and glanced at her brothers, two sisters and one brother sitting in the front row of the audience. Maxwell's conviction concludes another chapter in Epstein’s story. 

Maxwell allegedly witnessed part of the abuse and was responsible for seducing and caring for some of the victims. During the five-day deliberation, the jury was sent copies of testimony from more than 12 witnesses, explanations of the law, and notes requesting office supplies. However, due to the increase in Omicron cases throughout the city, Judge Nathan raised concerns that the infection could lead to an unjust trial. She told the jury on Tuesday that she might have to deliberate by Friday. On Wednesday afternoon, the jury requested a copy of Mr. Visoski's testimony. Two and a half hours later, they voted.