Defense lawyer Bobbi Sternheim points toward Ghislaine Maxwell standing beside Jeffrey Pagliuca during a pre-trial hearing on charges of sex trafficking, in a courtroom sketch in New York City, US, November 23, 2021. Reuters
The trial has begun for Ghislaine Maxwell, who pleaded not guilty to six counts – one of which being conspiracy for allegedly enticing and transporting minors for the purpose of sex trafficking.
Working as Epstein’s right-hand man and partner in crime, Maxwell helped him collect underage victims for his sex trafficking ring. She was incarcerated over a year ago due to her involvement with Epstein.
Now, Maxwell is standing trial for her crimes, and the prosecutors at the helm have decided to leave some explosive details out of their case.
The Prosecutors on the case have decided against bringing in Virginia Giuffre, who has come forward with detailed accounts of the time she was trafficked and exploited by Epstein and Maxwell – in an attempt to avoid any big risks.
Known for being her captivating story when the news broke to the public, Giuffre claims that she was trafficked to by Epstein and Maxwell, who flew her around the world when she was 17-18 for sexual encounters with billionaires, politicians, royals, and heads of state.
By ignoring Giuffre’s allegations, prosecutors will be removing the most explosive allegations against Maxwell from the trial, but they will also be mitigating a huge risk.
Among her accounts, Giuffre says that she was trafficked to several notable men, including Britain’s Prince Andrew, former New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, former U.S. Sen. George Mitchell, and the French modeling scout Jean Luc Brunel, among others.
Despite several records, witnesses, and photos that back up Giuffre’s time with Epstein, all those she’s accused have labeled her accounts as fabricated.
It’s a messy story, one that former federal prosecutor David Weinstein says should not be involved in the case against Maxwell. Although he’s not directly involved in the case, he says that “There is no reason to give the defense anything to work with that can sow the seeds of reasonable doubt.”
The trial began Monday the 29th, and in the long-awaited opening statement, Prosecutor Lara Pomerantz highlighted Maxwell as a “dangerous predator”, highlighting one of the many stories of girls who were coerced and captured in Epstein’s schemes by Maxwell.
On the other hand, Maxwell has pleaded not guilty, and her lawyers have stated in their opening statement that she’s being made into a scapegoat for Epstein after his suicide in August 2019 where he was waiting for his sex trafficking trial.
I was only 6 yrs old. But I remember my parents standing close to the radio, and the look of fear on their faces.
Today I feel that same fear. We must remember the sneakiness of our enemies, most of who reside in Asia. And most of all we should remember the courage of President Truman, and the necessary horrible but brave decision he had no choice but to make!!!!
We should resolve to have that same strength today. No longer must we coddle with diplomacy toward the enemies we face. Those within our Government and those outside. They show us no mercy, and they take advantage of our good nature and trusting demeanor. Time is not on our side. 2022 and 2024 is far too long to endure what they throw at us. GOD BLESS AMERICA. GOD GIVE US THE STRENGTH TO DO WHAT MUST BE DONE TO PRESERVE WHAT HE HAS GIVEN US!!!