Anticipating Ghislaine Maxwell’s sex trafficking trial to be presented to jury | Jesslyn Maxwell

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Ghislaine Maxwell’s Manhattan sex-trafficking trial is finally expected to go before a jury on Monday, as opening statements come after a panel of 12 jurors and six alternates was finalized.

Maxwell, 59, has pleaded not guilty to six counts of her alleged involvement in the sexual abuse of teenage girls by late financier Jeffrey Epstein, some of whom were as young as 14.

The charges include conspiracy to solicit minors to travel to engage in unlawful sexual acts, solicitation of a minor to travel to engage in unlawful sexual acts, conspiracy to transport a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, conspiracy to trade sex, and sex trafficking of a minor .

The indictment cites four defendants — referred to as Minor Victim-1, Minor Victim-2, Minor Victim-3, and Minor Victim-4 — although it is believed that more will take the stand.

Epstein committed suicide in a federal prison in Manhattan in August 2019, while awaiting trial. Prosecutors said Maxwell’s alleged crimes occurred from 1994 to 2004.

British authorities arrested the daughter of the late press baron Robert Maxwell on July 2, 2020 at a secret and expensive home in the small town of Bradford, New Hampshire.

Audrey Strauss, acting US attorney in Manhattan at the time, asserted that Maxwell “played a critical role in helping Epstein identify and befriend minor victims” and that “in some cases, Maxwell was involved in the abuse.”

The indictment that Maxwell “will attempt to normalize sexual abuse of a minor victim by, among other things, discussing sexual topics, undressing in front of the victim, being present when the minor victim is undressing, and/or being present for sexual acts including the minor victim and Epstein” .

US Manhattan attorney Maxwell has also been accused of attempting to cover up her involvement in Epstein’s crimes by providing incorrect information “under oath” during civil litigation.

That suit was the defamation case that Virginia Joffrey, a longtime accuser of Epstein, brought against Maxwell. Joffrey alleged that Maxwell and Epstein forced her to have sexual activity with Prince Andrew when she was 17.

Joffrey sued Maxwell, who called her a liar. Maxwell and the Duke of York maintain their innocence. Maxwell is charged with two counts of alleged lying. They will be tried in separate proceedings.

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