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Ghislaine Maxwell sits on the protection desk throughout a listening to to debate which knowledgeable witnesses will have the ability to testify at Maxwell’s upcoming intercourse crimes trial in New York, on this courtroom sketch on November 10, 2021.
Jane Rosenberg | Reuters
The trial of Ghislaine Maxwell was set to start Monday afternoon with a federal prosecutor’s opening assertion laying out the case in opposition to the British socialite accused of performing as a procurer of underage women to be sexually abused by disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.
Testimony of no less than one witness could also be heard later Monday after opening statements are accomplished.
Maxwell’s federal trial comes nearly 17 months after her arrest in New Hampshire, and greater than two years after the 66-year-old Epstein killed himself in a Manhattan jail whereas awaiting his personal trial on federal youngster intercourse trafficking fees.
Maxwell, who has been held with out bail since her arrest, has pleaded not responsible within the case, the place she is charged with conspiracy to entice and coerce minors to journey to have interaction in unlawful intercourse acts, intercourse trafficking and different fees.
“I’ve not dedicated any crime,” the 59-year-old mentioned at a Nov. 1 court docket listening to.
The jury for the trial was seated Monday morning, shortly earlier than opening statements started in U.S. District Courtroom in Manhattan.
Eighteen jurors had been picked for the case. Twelve of them will deliberate on a verdict; the six others will probably be alternates.
Epstein, who was price lots of of tens of millions of {dollars}, socialized together with Maxwell with high-profile individuals together with former Presidents Donald Trump and Invoice Clinton and Britain’s Prince Andrew earlier than Epstein pleaded responsible to a intercourse crime involving a minor in Florida in 2008.
Maxwell’s trial is anticipated to final six weeks or so.
This trial will deal solely with the sex-related fees in opposition to Maxwell. She will probably be tried individually for perjury fees stemming from allegations that she lied beneath oath whereas being deposed in a civil lawsuit by an Epstein accuser.
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