Ghislaine Maxwell trial delayed by lawyer's illness

Reuters
Luc Cohen
Published Dec 09, 2021  •  2 minute read
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Ghislaine Maxwell confers with her lawyer Bobbi Sternheim during the trial of Maxwell, the Jeffrey Epstein associate accused of sex trafficking, in a courtroom sketch in New York City, Dec. 9, 2021.
Ghislaine Maxwell confers with her lawyer Bobbi Sternheim during the trial of Maxwell, the Jeffrey Epstein associate accused of sex trafficking, in a courtroom sketch in New York City, Dec. 9, 2021. Photo by Jane Rosenberg /REUTERS

NEW YORK — Ghislaine Maxwell’s criminal trial was adjourned for the day on Thursday morning after one of the lawyers took ill, with jurors expected to hear soon from a fourth woman accusing the British socialite of setting her up for sexual abuse by Jeffrey Epstein.

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U.S. District Judge Alison Nathan in Manhattan said she had no reason to believe the illness was related to COVID-19. Maxwell’s trial had been in its ninth day.

A spokesman for the U.S. Attorney’s office said the trial was scheduled to resume on Friday, but that an update would follow.

The delay came after a FedEx employee testified about invoices issued in 2002 associated with an Epstein account for packages that were sent to a woman who testified under the name Carolyn who said Epstein abused her frequently starting when she was 14.

Carolyn, whose assertions underpin the sex trafficking charges against Maxwell, told jurors on Tuesday that she received a FedEx package from Epstein containing lingerie.

The indictment said Maxwell and other Epstein employees also gave her gifts.

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  1. An undated photo of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell at what appears to be the Queen's log cabin at her Balmoral residence was shown in a U.S. court. The photo, believed to have been taken in 1999, was obtained in a raid at Epstein's New York home.
    An undated photo of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell at what appears to be the Queen's log cabin at her Balmoral residence was shown in a U.S. court. The photo, believed to have been taken in 1999, was obtained in a raid at Epstein's New York home.Photo by U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of New York /supplied
  2. A picture of the Queen with her friend Margaret Rhodes in her log cabin in Balmoral, sitting in the same spot as Maxwell and Epstein in the previous photo, was among the photos shown in U.S. court.
    A picture of the Queen with her friend Margaret Rhodes in her log cabin in Balmoral, sitting in the same spot as Maxwell and Epstein in the previous photo, was among the photos shown in U.S. court.Photo by Margaret Rhodes /U.S. District Attorney's Office
  3. Ghislaine Maxwell is pictured massaging Jeffrey Epstein's feet in a photo recovered during an FBI raid at Epstein’s Upper East Side mansion in 2019.
    Ghislaine Maxwell is pictured massaging Jeffrey Epstein's feet in a photo recovered during an FBI raid at Epstein’s Upper East Side mansion in 2019.Photo by U.S. District Attorney's Office /supplied
  4. An undated photo shows Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. The photo was entered into evidence by the U.S. Attorney's Office on Dec. 7, 2021 during the trial of Ghislaine Maxwell, the Jeffrey Epstein associate accused of sex trafficking, in New York City.
    An undated photo shows Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. The photo was entered into evidence by the U.S. Attorney's Office on Dec. 7, 2021 during the trial of Ghislaine Maxwell, the Jeffrey Epstein associate accused of sex trafficking, in New York City. Photo by Courtesy of U.S. Attorney's Office /VIA REUTERS
  5. Ghislaine Maxwell is pictured massaging Jeffrey Epstein's feet in a photo recovered during an FBI raid at Epstein’s Upper East Side mansion in 2019.
    Ghislaine Maxwell is pictured massaging Jeffrey Epstein's feet in a photo recovered during an FBI raid at Epstein’s Upper East Side mansion in 2019.Photo by U.S. District Attorney's Office /supplied
  6. An undated photo shows Ghislaine Maxwell. The photo was entered into evidence by the U.S. Attorney's Office on Dec. 7, 2021 during the trial of Ghislaine Maxwell, the Jeffrey Epstein associate accused of sex trafficking, in New York City.
    An undated photo shows Ghislaine Maxwell. The photo was entered into evidence by the U.S. Attorney's Office on Dec. 7, 2021 during the trial of Ghislaine Maxwell, the Jeffrey Epstein associate accused of sex trafficking, in New York City. Photo by Courtesy of U.S. Attorney's Office /VIA REUTERS
  7. Ghislaine Maxwell kisses Jeffrey Epstein in a photo.
    Photo by U.S. District Attorney's Office /supplied
  8. An undated photo shows Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. The photo was entered into evidence by the U.S. Attorney's Office on Dec. 7, 2021 during the trial of Ghislaine Maxwell, the Jeffrey Epstein associate accused of sex trafficking, in New York City.
    An undated photo shows Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. The photo was entered into evidence by the U.S. Attorney's Office on Dec. 7, 2021 during the trial of Ghislaine Maxwell, the Jeffrey Epstein associate accused of sex trafficking, in New York City. Photo by Courtesy of U.S. Attorney's Office /VIA REUTERS
  9. An undated photo shows Ghislaine Maxwell. The photo was entered into evidence by the U.S. Attorney's Office on Dec. 7, 2021 during the trial of Ghislaine Maxwell, the Jeffrey Epstein associate accused of sex trafficking, in New York City.
    An undated photo shows Ghislaine Maxwell. The photo was entered into evidence by the U.S. Attorney's Office on Dec. 7, 2021 during the trial of Ghislaine Maxwell, the Jeffrey Epstein associate accused of sex trafficking, in New York City. Photo by Courtesy of U.S. Attorney's Office /VIA REUTERS
  10. A massage table is pictured in a photo recovered during an FBI raid at Epstein’s Upper East Side mansion in 2019.
    A massage table is pictured in a photo recovered during an FBI raid at Epstein’s Upper East Side mansion in 2019.Photo by U.S. District Attorney's Office /supplied
  11. An undated photo shows Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. The photo was entered into evidence by the U.S. Attorney's Office on Dec. 7, 2021 during the trial of Ghislaine Maxwell, the Jeffrey Epstein associate accused of sex trafficking, in New York City.
    An undated photo shows Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. The photo was entered into evidence by the U.S. Attorney's Office on Dec. 7, 2021 during the trial of Ghislaine Maxwell, the Jeffrey Epstein associate accused of sex trafficking, in New York City. Photo by Courtesy of U.S. Attorney's Office /VIA REUTERS
  12. An undated photo shows Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. The photo was entered into evidence by the U.S. Attorney's Office on Dec. 7, 2021 during the trial of Ghislaine Maxwell, the Jeffrey Epstein associate accused of sex trafficking, in New York City.
    An undated photo shows Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. The photo was entered into evidence by the U.S. Attorney's Office on Dec. 7, 2021 during the trial of Ghislaine Maxwell, the Jeffrey Epstein associate accused of sex trafficking, in New York City. Photo by Courtesy of U.S. Attorney's Office /VIA REUTERS
  13. An undated photo shows Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. The photo was entered into evidence by the U.S. Attorney's Office on Dec. 7, 2021 during the trial of Ghislaine Maxwell, the Jeffrey Epstein associate accused of sex trafficking, in New York City.
    An undated photo shows Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. The photo was entered into evidence by the U.S. Attorney's Office on Dec. 7, 2021 during the trial of Ghislaine Maxwell, the Jeffrey Epstein associate accused of sex trafficking, in New York City. Photo by HANDOUT /VIA REUTERS
  14. An undated photo shows Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. The photo was entered into evidence by the U.S. Attorney's Office on Dec. 7, 2021 during the trial of Ghislaine Maxwell, the Jeffrey Epstein associate accused of sex trafficking, in New York City.
    An undated photo shows Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. The photo was entered into evidence by the U.S. Attorney's Office on Dec. 7, 2021 during the trial of Ghislaine Maxwell, the Jeffrey Epstein associate accused of sex trafficking, in New York City. Photo by Courtesy of U.S. Attorney's Office /VIA REUTERS
  15. An undated photo shows Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. The photo was entered into evidence by the U.S. Attorney's Office on Dec. 7, 2021 during the trial of Ghislaine Maxwell, the Jeffrey Epstein associate accused of sex trafficking, in New York City.
    An undated photo shows Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. The photo was entered into evidence by the U.S. Attorney's Office on Dec. 7, 2021 during the trial of Ghislaine Maxwell, the Jeffrey Epstein associate accused of sex trafficking, in New York City. Photo by Courtesy of U.S. Attorney's Office /VIA REUTERS
  16. This undated trial evidence image obtained Dec. 8, 2021, from the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York shows British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell and U.S. financier Jeffrey Epstein.
    This undated trial evidence image obtained Dec. 8, 2021, from the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York shows British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell and U.S. financier Jeffrey Epstein.Photo by HANDOUT /U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York
  17. An undated photo shows Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. The photo was entered into evidence by the U.S. Attorney's Office on Dec. 7, 2021 during the trial of Ghislaine Maxwell, the Jeffrey Epstein associate accused of sex trafficking, in New York City.
    An undated photo shows Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. The photo was entered into evidence by the U.S. Attorney's Office on Dec. 7, 2021 during the trial of Ghislaine Maxwell, the Jeffrey Epstein associate accused of sex trafficking, in New York City. Photo by Courtesy of U.S. Attorney's Office /VIA REUTERS
  18. An undated photo shows Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. The photo was entered into evidence by the U.S. Attorney's Office on Dec. 7, 2021 during the trial of Ghislaine Maxwell, the Jeffrey Epstein associate accused of sex trafficking, in New York City.
    An undated photo shows Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. The photo was entered into evidence by the U.S. Attorney's Office on Dec. 7, 2021 during the trial of Ghislaine Maxwell, the Jeffrey Epstein associate accused of sex trafficking, in New York City. Photo by Courtesy of U.S. Attorney's Office /VIA REUTERS
  19. An undated photo shows Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. The photo was entered into evidence by the U.S. Attorney's Office on Dec. 7, 2021 during the trial of Ghislaine Maxwell, the Jeffrey Epstein associate accused of sex trafficking, in New York City.
    An undated photo shows Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. The photo was entered into evidence by the U.S. Attorney's Office on Dec. 7, 2021 during the trial of Ghislaine Maxwell, the Jeffrey Epstein associate accused of sex trafficking, in New York City. Photo by Courtesy of U.S. Attorney's Office /VIA REUTERS
  20. Ghislaine Maxwell pictured with Jeffrey Epstein's personal assistant Sarah Kellen in a court exhibit image released by the U.S. Southern District of New York.
    Ghislaine Maxwell pictured with Jeffrey Epstein's personal assistant Sarah Kellen in a court exhibit image released by the U.S. Southern District of New York.Photo by supplied /U.S. Southern District of New York
  21. Jeffrey Epstein is pictured in front of a jet in a court exhibit image released by the U.S. Southern District of New York.
    Jeffrey Epstein is pictured in front of a jet in a court exhibit image released by the U.S. Southern District of New York.Photo by supplied /U.S. Southern District of New York
  22. Ghislaine Maxwell pictured with Jeffrey Epstein's personal assistant Sarah Kellen in a court exhibit image released by the U.S. Southern District of New York.
    Ghislaine Maxwell pictured with Jeffrey Epstein's personal assistant Sarah Kellen in a court exhibit image released by the U.S. Southern District of New York.Photo by supplied /U.S. Southern District of New York.
  23. Two of Jeffrey Epstein's private jets are pictured in a court exhibit image released by the U.S. Southern District of New York. The jet, the
    Two of Jeffrey Epstein's private jets are pictured in a court exhibit image released by the U.S. Southern District of New York. The jet, the "Lolita Express," is pictured on the left. Photo by supplied /U.S. Southern District of New York
  24. The interior of one of Epstein's jets is pictured in a court exhibit image released by the U.S. Southern District of New York.
    The interior of one of Epstein's jets is pictured in a court exhibit image released by the U.S. Southern District of New York. Photo by supplied /U.S. Southern District of New York
  25. Jeffrey Epstein's island home, Little Saint James, is pictured in a court exhibit image released by the U.S. Southern District of New York.
    Jeffrey Epstein's island home, Little Saint James, is pictured in a court exhibit image released by the U.S. Southern District of New York. Photo by supplied /U.S. Southern District of New York
  26. Jeffrey Epstein's lodge in Interlochen, Mich., is pictured in a court exhibit image released by the U.S. Southern District of New York.
    Jeffrey Epstein's lodge in Interlochen, Mich., is pictured in a court exhibit image released by the U.S. Southern District of New York. Photo by supplied /U.S. Southern District of New York
  27. Jeffrey Epstein's Zorro Ranch in New Mexico is pictured in a court exhibit image released by the U.S. Southern District of New York.
    Jeffrey Epstein's Zorro Ranch in New Mexico is pictured in a court exhibit image released by the U.S. Southern District of New York. Photo by supplied /U.S. Southern District of New York
  28. One of Jeffrey Epstein's helicopters is pictured in a court exhibit image released by the U.S. Southern District of New York.
    One of Jeffrey Epstein's helicopters is pictured in a court exhibit image released by the U.S. Southern District of New York. Photo by supplied /U.S. Southern District of New York
  29. One of Jeffrey Epstein's jets pictured in a court exhibit image released by the U.S. Southern District of New York.
    One of Jeffrey Epstein's jets pictured in a court exhibit image released by the U.S. Southern District of New York. Photo by supplied /U.S. Southern District of New York
  30. One of Jeffrey Epstein's jets pictured in a court exhibit image released by the U.S. Southern District of New York.
    One of Jeffrey Epstein's jets pictured in a court exhibit image released by the U.S. Southern District of New York. Photo by supplied /U.S. Southern District of New York

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Carolyn said Epstein’s abuse came after she had been introduced to him by Virginia Giuffre, who asked if she “wanted to go make money.”

Giuffre is one of Epstein’s and Maxwell’s most prominent accusers. She is not among the four alleged victims in Maxwell’s indictment, and is not expected to testify.

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Maxwell, 59, has pleaded not guilty to sex trafficking and other crimes for allegedly recruiting and grooming girls for Epstein.

She could face up to 70 years in prison if convicted on six counts at her trial plus additional time if convicted on two perjury counts that will be tried later.

Prosecutors are nearing the end of presenting their case. They had been expected to rest by the end of this week.

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Lawyers for Maxwell will then have an opportunity to mount a defence. Maxwell is not required to testify, and would likely face days of intense questioning from prosecutors if she did.

Carolyn and two other alleged victims have given jurors emotional, often explicit descriptions of how Maxwell encouraged them to give Epstein massages that escalated into sexual encounters.

According to the indictment, Maxwell gave the fourth victim, identified as Minor Victim-2, an unsolicited massage while the woman was topless, and encouraged her to massage Epstein.

Lawyers for Maxwell have argued that she is being scapegoated for Epstein’s alleged conduct.

Epstein killed himself in August 2019 at age 66 in a Manhattan jail cell while awaiting trial on sex abuse charges.

Nathan ruled on Wednesday that any sexual contact Minor Victim-2 had with Epstein at the time was not illegal, citing New Mexico law at the time.

The judge previously issued a similar ruling about another alleged victim, Kate, who testified that she was 17 when she was first abused by Epstein. Nathan said Kate was old enough to consent to her alleged sexual encounters.

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