Despite his suicide, Jeffrey Epstein will still be put on trial in the coming weeks by a proxy. His former girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell, is to go before a federal jury on charges she groomed underage victims to have unwanted sex with Epstein.
NEW YORK — After disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein died by suicide behind bars, a judge invited his accusers to court to vent their anger at a man they called a coward for taking his own life to escape accountability for sexually abusing them.
Epstein, who died at 66, was arrested on multiple sex trafficking charges in New York in 2019. His lawyers contended the charges violated a 2008 non-prosecution deal with federal prosecutors in Miami that secretly ended a federal sex abuse probe involving at least 40 teenage girls. After pleading guilty to state charges in Florida instead, he spent 13 months in jail and paid settlements to victims.
The trial’s drama will revolve around testimony from four women who say they and others were victimized as teens from 1994 to 2004 at Epstein’s estate in Palm Beach, Florida, his posh Manhattan townhouse and at other residences in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and London. The indictment said Maxwell “would try to normalize sexual abuse for a minor victim by, among other things, discussing sexual topics, undressing in front of the victim, being present when a minor victim was undressed, and/or being present for sex acts involving the minor victim and Epstein.”
Epstein’s name, however, is expected to come up frequently, and Maxwell's lawyers have complained that Maxwell has already suffered from the negative publicity surrounding him. A questionnaire used to screen potential jurors inquired whether they had ever posted anything or an opinion about Maxwell or Epstein on social media.“Jeffrey Epstein was a brilliant man who was flawed by enduring personality traits familiar to psychiatrists,” her lawyers said in a recent court filing.
In a letter to Nathan last week, defense lawyer Bobbi Sternheim said her client “is eager for her day in court.”
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Jeffrey Epstein faces trial by proxy: Ghislaine MaxwellNEW YORK (AP) — After disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein died by suicide behind bars, a judge invited his accusers to court to vent their anger at a man they called a coward for taking his own life to escape accountability for sexually abusing them.
Read more »
As Rittenhouse trial winds down, polarizing judge lashes outKenosha County Circuit Judge Bruce Schroeder has not slunk into the background while presiding over the biggest case of his more than four decades on the bench.
Read more »
Victims of Liberia’s civil war are still waiting for justiceSome in Liberia think the most violent warlords should face trial. Others worry this would become a “witch hunt” that could renew conflict
Read more »
Argentines vote in midterm trial by fire for President FernandezArgentines headed to the polls on Sunday for midterm elections that will establish the power balance in Congress, with the ruling Peronist party battling to avoid damaging losses that could erase its majority in the Senate held for almost 40 years.
Read more »
Delta boss says climate change means flying will cost moreThe world's second largest airline says climate change is the biggest challenge facing aviation.
Read more »