“It’s The Integrity Of The System—That’s What We’re Fighting For With Ghislaine” Last week, I sat in for the hearing of Ghislaine Maxwell's appeal. Among a room full of reporters, I crammed into an overflow room outfitted with star-pattered carpet and dark leather couches facing a mid-sized TV screen (just outside the courtroom's entrance). I watched Maxwell's new attorney, Diana Fabi Samson, argue the case. There were three judges and color-coded timers involved. It was quick and confusing. The issue most mulled over was Epstein's arrangement from 2007, which was drafted to protect his co-conspirators. Oddly, Ghislaine's name was not listed among the other four women. Samson argued that
Ugh. The whole thing just feels gross. Epstein’s sweetheart deal makes me sick and angry. Maxwell is definitely the fall “gal” so I doubt they will let her off. I think she deserves her fate but also it feels conflicting that Epstein got such a great deal in 07’ and since Maxwell is a women she will be treated harsher. Gross all around.
While I think the NPA is bullshit and should never have been offered, I do agree that she is protected under it. I would love to hear more on why that argument wasn’t heavily presented prior to trial. My theory would be so that the public sees Maxwell go to prison, loses interest, and is blind to her post conviction release two years later. We shall see!
Let's say that the government lawyers are right and the NPA only covers crimes committed in 2001-2007 in South Florida. So how is it fair to convict Maxwell for "sex trafficking of a minor" based on the testimony of Carolyn, who met Epstein in 2001 or 2002 and only knew him in South Florida? Annie Farmer, Kate, and Jane did not claim to have been "sex trafficked" which requires a "commercial sex act"*. So that charge, at minimum, should be thrown out.
The elephant in the room is how weak the government's case was. Take Carolyn out and what do you have? Kate didn't claim that Maxwell was a witness to any abuse. Jane didn't claim that Maxwell was a witness to any abuse. Annie Farmer claimed she wasn't sexually abused (but said that was the "ultimate goal" of Epstein and Maxwell which is speculative). Maxwell, we are to believe, was an integral part of Epstein's sex trafficking "operation". The government even alleged Maxwell was paid $30 million for her alleged part in it and yet the government could only bring a single witness who claimed that Maxwell was a direct participant in sexual abuse. Without Carolyn, the argument is "Well, Maxwell must have known what Epstein was doing". But we have housekeepers, pilots, friends, a chef, assistants, etc. all saying they had no idea what Epstein was doing.
Also, it's not just that Scotty David failed to disclose that he’d been sexually abused on a questionnaire. According to him, he used his experience to convince his fellow jurors to handwave away the numerous inconsistencies in the testimony of the women.
*If you want to try and argue that Jane was "sex trafficked" (i.e participated in a commercial sex act while under 18) because she received money from Epstein, she testified she was given hundreds of dollars regardless of what she did or didn't do for Epstein:
"Q. And that happened regardless of whether or not you were in what you claim was a sexually abusive relationship at that time, right?
Hi from Michigan my brother just was selected for jury duty last week. Question-Do you know of anyone who was SA ? Yes my daughter. A he said she said situation. No physical proof.
Attorney- Thank you for showing up today, you are dismissed. What the hell is happening here with Ghislaine ? I disagree with her lifestyle BUT I used to believe in our judicial system. Scapegoat 💯
I alternate between thinking she is unfairly imprisoned, just because someone must be held accountable (heaven forbid the men who had “relations” with the underage girls be prosecuted), and feeling that she deserves jail time for her role in recruiting the girls (and no way she didn’t know what was going on) . . .
She will walk , there are to many powerful people that she has protected by keeping her mouth shut , If a prison can suddenly open its doors and two warders can conveniently be asleep and the cameras non functioning , then Epstein is suicided , It means finagling a défense for maxwell will be simple ,,,I hope I’m wrong
This is what is wrong about our criminal justice system. The bargaining that goes on to reduce jail times and prosecution of individuals is beyond the pale.
The NPA protects everyone except JE and the justice department knows it. If they won’t prosecute the men and/or women who “bought” girls, then why make GM the lone perp to take the fall?
It makes no sense, just like pretty much anything involving crimes against children.
Thank you Jessica for going into depth in this article! I was listening to the audio of the trial from the link you posted, but it was hard to follow, and I was hoping you would do a recap!
This was extremely helpful in understanding the pieces of what I heard. From what it sounded like, they argued heavily on the co-conspirator deal and the location to which it applies.
I do have a really hard time believing they will let her go free. I think her lawyers make a lot of valid points, but I just feel like the government would not go back on such a big case especially since they don’t have anyone else to publicly criminalize.
So well written! Extremely thorough as always. I'm surprised Maxwell is still alive to be honest. Also was the deal federal or specific to Florida? And what a bizarre deal. I think a juror who has had sexual abuse in his past should be allowed to be on the jury, I don't understand why he lied about it if he did or if he really made an error when filling out the form. Either way, I can see her getting a new trial but not having her conviction overturned--No way! Everyone knows she is guilty. These loopholes will not set her free imo. She deserves to be incarcerated. Sabrinalabow.substack.com
I read this article twice. It's written very well.
I do believe the NPA should not apply to her. The NPA was drafted in Florida. Her crimes go beyond the state. Was she specifically named in the NPA? Co-conspirator is broad.
Ghislane goes on to say that she made a bad choice with her involvement with Jeffrey Epstein. Yes, she did. But, again, she is a grown woman. This was her choice. She destroyed her life, and many others.
I feel infuriated that of course, a woman is being scrutinized, sitting in jail and on trial while men roam free. But there has been a recurring thought that pings me every so often: What if this is like a Kaiser Soze Usual Suspects thing? It wouldn't be the first time we underestimate a woman and cast her as a supporting role when she's really the Leading Lady.
A jury determined she was guilty after hearing all of the testimony. She has the right to fight it but I think she will lose. There were many victims with corroborating evidence. She was unable to give a credible defense so she got 20 years. I honestly don't know of anyone who thinks she is not guilty. Perhaps due to a legal technicality she will have a shot at another trial. You seem to know a lot more about it than I do but to think a woman who was with Epstein all of those years did not know and wasn't somehow complicit seems naive at best. Maybe the deal Epstein made or the juror will be the legal means by which she has a shot. Highly doubtful. That's my two cents. Sabrinalabow.substack.com
I think her lawyers tried to look like the Italian mob bosses to strike fear of retaliation against anyone who did not acquit Maxwell. NO ONE BUT NO ONE WEARS HATS LIKE THOSE THESE DAYS.
Ugh. The whole thing just feels gross. Epstein’s sweetheart deal makes me sick and angry. Maxwell is definitely the fall “gal” so I doubt they will let her off. I think she deserves her fate but also it feels conflicting that Epstein got such a great deal in 07’ and since Maxwell is a women she will be treated harsher. Gross all around.
While I think the NPA is bullshit and should never have been offered, I do agree that she is protected under it. I would love to hear more on why that argument wasn’t heavily presented prior to trial. My theory would be so that the public sees Maxwell go to prison, loses interest, and is blind to her post conviction release two years later. We shall see!
Let's say that the government lawyers are right and the NPA only covers crimes committed in 2001-2007 in South Florida. So how is it fair to convict Maxwell for "sex trafficking of a minor" based on the testimony of Carolyn, who met Epstein in 2001 or 2002 and only knew him in South Florida? Annie Farmer, Kate, and Jane did not claim to have been "sex trafficked" which requires a "commercial sex act"*. So that charge, at minimum, should be thrown out.
The elephant in the room is how weak the government's case was. Take Carolyn out and what do you have? Kate didn't claim that Maxwell was a witness to any abuse. Jane didn't claim that Maxwell was a witness to any abuse. Annie Farmer claimed she wasn't sexually abused (but said that was the "ultimate goal" of Epstein and Maxwell which is speculative). Maxwell, we are to believe, was an integral part of Epstein's sex trafficking "operation". The government even alleged Maxwell was paid $30 million for her alleged part in it and yet the government could only bring a single witness who claimed that Maxwell was a direct participant in sexual abuse. Without Carolyn, the argument is "Well, Maxwell must have known what Epstein was doing". But we have housekeepers, pilots, friends, a chef, assistants, etc. all saying they had no idea what Epstein was doing.
Also, it's not just that Scotty David failed to disclose that he’d been sexually abused on a questionnaire. According to him, he used his experience to convince his fellow jurors to handwave away the numerous inconsistencies in the testimony of the women.
*If you want to try and argue that Jane was "sex trafficked" (i.e participated in a commercial sex act while under 18) because she received money from Epstein, she testified she was given hundreds of dollars regardless of what she did or didn't do for Epstein:
"Q. And that happened regardless of whether or not you were in what you claim was a sexually abusive relationship at that time, right?
A. Yes."
Hi from Michigan my brother just was selected for jury duty last week. Question-Do you know of anyone who was SA ? Yes my daughter. A he said she said situation. No physical proof.
Attorney- Thank you for showing up today, you are dismissed. What the hell is happening here with Ghislaine ? I disagree with her lifestyle BUT I used to believe in our judicial system. Scapegoat 💯
I alternate between thinking she is unfairly imprisoned, just because someone must be held accountable (heaven forbid the men who had “relations” with the underage girls be prosecuted), and feeling that she deserves jail time for her role in recruiting the girls (and no way she didn’t know what was going on) . . .
She will walk , there are to many powerful people that she has protected by keeping her mouth shut , If a prison can suddenly open its doors and two warders can conveniently be asleep and the cameras non functioning , then Epstein is suicided , It means finagling a défense for maxwell will be simple ,,,I hope I’m wrong
This is what is wrong about our criminal justice system. The bargaining that goes on to reduce jail times and prosecution of individuals is beyond the pale.
The NPA protects everyone except JE and the justice department knows it. If they won’t prosecute the men and/or women who “bought” girls, then why make GM the lone perp to take the fall?
It makes no sense, just like pretty much anything involving crimes against children.
Thank you Jessica for going into depth in this article! I was listening to the audio of the trial from the link you posted, but it was hard to follow, and I was hoping you would do a recap!
This was extremely helpful in understanding the pieces of what I heard. From what it sounded like, they argued heavily on the co-conspirator deal and the location to which it applies.
I do have a really hard time believing they will let her go free. I think her lawyers make a lot of valid points, but I just feel like the government would not go back on such a big case especially since they don’t have anyone else to publicly criminalize.
Great journalism- totally felt like I was in that ante room watching it go down…What was the pin on their lapels?
Jessica, thank you. Your reporting is pleasant, truthful and succinct. I wish you continued success and protection. Blessings!
So well written! Extremely thorough as always. I'm surprised Maxwell is still alive to be honest. Also was the deal federal or specific to Florida? And what a bizarre deal. I think a juror who has had sexual abuse in his past should be allowed to be on the jury, I don't understand why he lied about it if he did or if he really made an error when filling out the form. Either way, I can see her getting a new trial but not having her conviction overturned--No way! Everyone knows she is guilty. These loopholes will not set her free imo. She deserves to be incarcerated. Sabrinalabow.substack.com
I read this article twice. It's written very well.
I do believe the NPA should not apply to her. The NPA was drafted in Florida. Her crimes go beyond the state. Was she specifically named in the NPA? Co-conspirator is broad.
Ghislane goes on to say that she made a bad choice with her involvement with Jeffrey Epstein. Yes, she did. But, again, she is a grown woman. This was her choice. She destroyed her life, and many others.
I feel infuriated that of course, a woman is being scrutinized, sitting in jail and on trial while men roam free. But there has been a recurring thought that pings me every so often: What if this is like a Kaiser Soze Usual Suspects thing? It wouldn't be the first time we underestimate a woman and cast her as a supporting role when she's really the Leading Lady.
A jury determined she was guilty after hearing all of the testimony. She has the right to fight it but I think she will lose. There were many victims with corroborating evidence. She was unable to give a credible defense so she got 20 years. I honestly don't know of anyone who thinks she is not guilty. Perhaps due to a legal technicality she will have a shot at another trial. You seem to know a lot more about it than I do but to think a woman who was with Epstein all of those years did not know and wasn't somehow complicit seems naive at best. Maybe the deal Epstein made or the juror will be the legal means by which she has a shot. Highly doubtful. That's my two cents. Sabrinalabow.substack.com
I think if one of their daughters had been groomed by Epstein and Maxwell, they'd be defending her a bit less.
I think her lawyers tried to look like the Italian mob bosses to strike fear of retaliation against anyone who did not acquit Maxwell. NO ONE BUT NO ONE WEARS HATS LIKE THOSE THESE DAYS.