The prosecution describes her as the “right hand man” of sex criminal Jeffrey Epstein, the defense portrays Ghislaine Maxwell as his victim. The witnesses are attacked at the beginning of the trial.
New York – At the start of the abuse trial against Jeffrey Epstein’s ex-partner Ghislaine Maxwell, prosecutors and defense officials drew very different versions of the 59-year-old’s role.
The prosecution described Maxwell as the “right hand man” of Epstein, who frequented the highest US circles, and a ruthless accomplice in the procurement of underage victims for him. The defense, in turn, portrayed her as the victim of a narcissistic man “who manipulated the world around him – Maxwell included.
Indictment on six counts
Prosecutor Lara Pomerantz said in her opening speech in the New York court that Maxwell played a crucial role in the abuse ring operated by Epstein. She won the trust of girls and then brought them to her former partner. “She knew exactly what was going to happen.” Maxwell is charged on six counts and faces many years in prison if convicted.
The defense vehemently denied the presentation of the indictment in their opening statement on Monday. It is about crimes of Epstein, who died in 2019, with which Maxwell has nothing to do. “She’s not like Jeffrey Epstein,” said Maxwell’s attorney Bobbi Sternheim. Epstein was considered a charismatic man and eloquent blender who repeatedly led his counterparts astray and used them for his own purposes.
Maxwell serious and focused
Maxwell’s lawyer attacked the four main witnesses. The alleged crimes were 15 to 25 years ago: “As we all know, memories fade with time.” They also kept in contact with the richly wealthy Epstein after the alleged abuse or were not credible because they themselves were supported by money and career support would have benefited from this. “The story of every suspect is thin, they lack support”.
Maxwell had come into the Manhattan courtroom that morning wearing a light-colored sweater and black trousers, her chin-length hair down. She looked serious, focused, and showed little emotion. Several times she leaned over to her lawyer in a whisper. There are impressions that seem to be diametrically opposed to the photos of the woman’s former luxury life: the mighty Epstein putting his arm around Maxwell and hugging her while she laughs into the camera. Maxwell with Tesla businessman Elon Musk after the Oscars. Maxwell with Donald Trump.
In the highest circles
Maxwell’s ex-partner Epstein was accused of building a prostitution ring with dozens of underage female victims of abuse. A lawsuit in 2008 resulted in a beneficial deal for Epstein that many considered a scandal.
There was never another trial in New York against the well-connected multimillionaire – and acquaintances of Bill Clinton, Donald Trump, Bill Gates or the British Prince Andrew, among others – because Epstein was found dead in his prison cell in 2019. Coroners concluded it was suicide. Then Maxwell was arrested last year. Many see the trial against them as a proxy trial.
Prosecutors tried Monday to portray Maxwell as a key accomplice for Epstein. She hired the girls, prepared them for Epstein, took them to him “daily” for so-called massages, during which Epstein sexually abused them. A few times Maxwell was even present at such attacks.
In addition, she had built up a “culture of silence” in Epstein’s property in order to keep the deeds secret and was privy to every detail in Epstein’s life. Her motive was to maintain her own luxury life in his orbit. On the first day of the trial, it remained open whether Maxwell would testify himself in the course of the trial.
Employee and best friend
Ghislaine Maxwell is the daughter of the legendary British publisher Robert Maxwell (1923-1991) and came to New York in the early 1990s. She met Jeffrey Epstein at one of the numerous celebrity parties and was at times his girlfriend. Epstein’s environment described their role in his life as a mixture of employee and best friend.
Maxwell’s trial is estimated to take six weeks, with prosecutors relying on four main witnesses. The cases to be heard range from 1994 to 2004 and the alleged crimes are said to have been committed in Epstein’s mansions in New York, Florida, Santa Fe and London. dpa
