The prosecution in the sex trafficking case regarding Ghislaine Maxwell and her involvement with Jeffrey Epstein is expected to rest its case on Thursday, according to David Marcus, who is covering the trial for The Daily Wire.
The court was delayed on Wednesday due to a juror who reportedly had a “substantial train issue,” according to the judge. The prosecution also indicated it will rest its case tomorrow (Thursday) having decided against calling a number of witnesses, according to Marcus.
Wednesday marked the eighth day of the high-profile case that some legal experts predicted could last for weeks. The reason for the prosecution’s decision to rest its case on Thursday has not yet been revealed.
Tuesday included testimony from a third accuser referred to as Carolyn who described being greeted by Maxwell at Epstein’s Palm Beach home and being paid $300 for giving Epstein a massage.
The accuser testified that she visited Epstein’s home more than 100 times between the ages of 14 to 18 years old and claimed each occasion included something sexual.
The Daily Wire reported on Tuesday that Carolyn, in her 30s and wearing a pink and black striped white sweater, was visibly uncomfortable from the moment she walked in the courtroom. With a quiet and shy tone, she told the jury that she had first met Epstein when she was a 14-year-old from a poor and broken family in West Palm Beach.
She said that a friend, Virginia Roberts Giuffre, who was 18 at the time, invited her to come to Epstein’s estate to get some quick cash. Though not entirely sure what she would be doing there, Carolyn testified that “I went to Mr. Epstein’s house and made money that way.”
She quickly made clear exactly what she claims she was paid for. She said the first time Roberts brought her to the house they both went upstairs to the massage room. There she said, “Virginia had taken off her clothes and asked if I was comfortable doing that? I said I wanted to keep on my bra and underwear.”
Carolyn testified that the two girls massaged Epstein and then Roberts climbed atop Epstein. She recounted that “I was sitting on the couch in front of them” as they had sex. For this, the then middle schooler said she was paid $300 in hundred-dollar bills placed on the sink.
Soon, Carolyn claims, she was going on her own, more than 100 times between the ages of 14 and 18, saying that “Maxwell would call and set appointment times,” during the first year of her alleged abuse.
At one point, while still 14, the witness testified that Maxwell invited her to Epstein’s Caribbean island. Carolyn said, “I told her I was too young and there was no way in hell my mother would let me go.”
As the testimony grew more graphic, Carolyn told the jury about a time that Epstein brought another girl into the massage room with them. She described what ensued, saying “Epstein penetrated me a few times, I told him I wasn’t comfortable.” At this point, she claims he stopped and moved on to having sex with the other girl.
When asked by U.S. Attorney Maureen Comey what she used the money she made from Epstein for, Carolyn finally broke down, weeping and wiping away tears she managed to utter, “To buy drugs.”
Meanwhile, Maxwell, at the defense table, was inscrutable as she took in the testimony, her black sweater and mask, along with her black hair left only her eyes and a small patch of forehead visible.
On cross-examination, the defense was successful in pointing to some discrepancies between Carolyn’s current testimony and her previous statements to the FBI and in depositions for a civil action. These had to do with where Roberts had first talked about Epstein, when exactly her relationship with him ended, and a slew of other details that seem to have changed in her account.
During the cross, defense attorney Jeff Pagliuca said Carolyn’s last name, not the first time he has broken this rule during the trial. Upon hearing it, prosecutor Comey jumped up like a power forward going after a rebound to stop the proceedings. As a sidebar occurred, Carolyn once more broke into tears. For the rest of the day she seemed stunned and confused.
Prior to Carolyn taking the stand, the day began with some sparks. The defense sought to ban testimony from “Brian,” the brother of alleged victim “Jane,” who testified last week.
Apparently, Jane called Brian and discussed her testimony with him even though both are sequestered. This exchange between the siblings included her telling him that the defense attorney was, well, the way the attorney in question Laura Menninger put it was, “a word that rhymes with front.” The question of whether Brian will testify has yet to be settled.
The other witness on Tuesday was FBI analyst Stephen Flatley, who testified to the veracity of several emails and documents found on a hard drive registered to Maxwell.
These included emails about maintenance of the Palm Beach estate as well as a list of 16 shampoos and 13 massage products Epstein liked and a flyer that read: “Help Wanted. Are you a massage therapist? Work in a Palm Beach home. Excellent pay. Mostly weekends.” It included a phone number and instructions to leave a message.
Accuser Testifies Ghislaine Maxwell ‘Set Appointment Times’ For 14-Year-Old To Visit Epstein
Witness In Ghislaine Maxwell Trial Recounts Dressing In Schoolgirl Outfit To Serve Jeffrey Epstein Tea
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Source: Dailywire
