The Ghislaine Maxwell trial is about to begin. Here's what to watch for

As Ghislaine Maxwell trial opens, prosecutors allege a 'pyramid scheme of abuse'

"Ghislain, Is That You?": Inside Ghislain Maxwell's Life on the Lam

 to read the press release on Maxwell's arrest in July 2020

British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell (59) met financier Jeffrey Epstein in the early 1990s.

In 2019, Epstein was indicted on charges of sexually abusing underage girls as young as age 14. He died in his jail cell before facing trial, and his death was ruled a suicide.  

Maxwell faces charges incl. sex trafficking of underage girls between the mid-90s & early 2000s. Prosecutors say she "

assisted, facilitated, and contributed to Jeffrey Epstein's abuse of minor girls by, among other things, helping Epstein to recruit, groom, and ultimately abuse victims

Ghislaine Maxwell in a pretrial hearing in early November, denying allegations against her. After Epstein's arrest in 2019, Maxwell largely vanished from public view. She was arrested in July 2020 and was denied bail. If Maxwell is convicted on all counts, she could face decades in prison - a potential life sentence for the 59-year-old. Her lawyers say she is a "scapegoat" for Epstein's alleged crimes, who pleaded not guilty following his arrest in 2019.

"Preserving the innocence of children is among the most important responsibilities we carry as adults. Like Epstein, Ms. Maxwell chose to blatantly disregard the law and her responsibility as an adult, using whatever means she had at her disposal to lure vulnerable youth into behavior they should never have been exposed to ..."

FBI Asst. Dir. William F. Sweeney Jr. on the arrest of Maxwell. Opening statements for Maxwell's trial began on Monday, November 29, 2021.

"I was nervous. You don't want to be judged. You don't want to be not believed ... But at the same time, it helped so many other women, so it's such a blessing to know that I did speak my mind and my truth."

Jennifer Araoz, an alleged victim of Epstein, who shared her story publicly. She plans to attend Maxwell's trial, where four alleged victims are expected to testify. The prosecution & defense are likely to call on experts (e.g. a forensic psychiatrist), considering the seriousness of the charges and the years that have passed.

This trial could last through the new year. Maxwell also faces two charges of perjury (knowingly lying in court) from an earlier deposition related to sex trafficking allegations w/ Epstein, & will be tried at a later date. As is typical for federal cases, broadcasts, photography and/or recordings of the proceedings will not be permitted due to concerns they could affect the trials - meaning the public will not watch along as the trial develops and will rely on the accounts of court reporters.

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Ghislaine Maxwell

Here's a link to Maxwell's indictment

The Ghislaine Maxwell trial is about to begin. Here's what to watch for (NPR) 

As Ghislaine Maxwell trial open