Maxwell denied bail on charges of luring girls for Epstein; accusers denounce her

[webfact]

Maxwell denied bail on charges of luring girls for Epstein; accusers denounce her

By Jonathan Stempel, Karen Freifeld and Brendan Pierson

 

FILE PHOTO: Audrey Strauss, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York speaks alongside William F. Sweeney Jr., Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Office, at a news conference announcing charges against Ghislaine Maxwell for her role in the sexual exploitation and abuse of minor girls by Jeffrey Epstein in New York City, New York, U.S., July 2, 2020. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson/File Photo

 

NEW YORK (Reuters) - A U.S. judge on Tuesday denied bail for Ghislaine Maxwell, Jeffrey Epstein's longtime associate charged with luring young girls so the late financier could sexually abuse them, after she pleaded not guilty at a hearing in which two women decried her actions as heinous.

 

U.S. District Judge Alison Nathan in Manhattan rejected Maxwell's bid for bail, agreeing with prosecutors that the wealthy socialite posed a flight risk. Maxwell, the judge said during a hearing lasting more than two hours, has "demonstrated sophistication in hiding her resources and herself."

 

Prosecutors have accused Maxwell, 58, of helping Epstein recruit and eventually abuse girls as young as 14 from 1994 to 1997 and lying about her role in depositions in 2016. Nathan set a trial date for July 12, 2021.

 

Maxwell appeared by video from the Brooklyn jail where she is being held. She appeared tired, with her hair pulled back, and was wearing a brown T-shirt and tortoiseshell glasses.

 

Arrested on July 2, Maxwell has been charged with six criminal counts, including four related to transporting minors for illegal sexual acts and two for perjury. Nathan said the evidence at this stage "appears strong" against Maxwell, who faces up to 35 years in prison if convicted.

 

Two women who have accused Maxwell of enabling their abuse testified at the hearing. One of them, Annie Farmer, said Maxwell "has never shown any remorse for her heinous crimes" and that "the danger Maxwell poses must be taken seriously."

 

"She is a sexual predator who groomed and abused me and countless other children and young women," Farmer told the court.

 

In a statement read to the court by federal prosecutor Alison Moe, an unidentified second woman said, "Without Ghislaine, Jeffrey could not have done what he did." The woman said she knew Maxwell for more than 10 years and still felt threatened, adding, "If she is out, I need to be protected."

 

'OFF THE GRID'

Maxwell's lawyers had sought a bail package including a $5 million bond and home confinement with electronic monitoring.

 

"No combination of conditions could reasonably assure her presence in court," the judge said in ordering continued confinement.

 

"The defendant has the ability to live in hiding. She's good at it," Moe said in arguing against bail.

 

Moe added that Maxwell has demonstrated she can "live off the grid, indefinitely." Moe said it took a year after Epstein's arrest to find Maxwell.

 

Prosecutors said her wealth and multiple citizenships - American, French and British - also supported the need for detention.

 

Maxwell, Epstein's former girlfriend and longtime associate, was arrested in Bradford, New Hampshire, where authorities said she was hiding out at a sprawling property she bought in December in an all-cash transaction with her identity shielded.

 

"Not guilty, your honour," Maxwell said after the judge asked for her plea.

 

In seeking bail, defence lawyer Mark Cohen complained about the conditions at the Brooklyn jail where she had been held since July 6, saying Maxwell was being kept in a room with the lights on at all times and at one point was not allowed to shower for 72 hours. The defence also argued Maxwell could contract COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, in jail.

 

Epstein was charged in July 2019 with sexually exploiting dozens of girls and women from 2002 to 2005 at his homes in Manhattan and Palm Beach, Florida. He hanged himself on Aug. 10 at age 66 in a Manhattan jail.

 

Prosecutors accused Maxwell of luring girls by asking them about their lives, schools and families and taking them shopping or to movies - acts, they said, that served as "the prequel" to Epstein's abuse. Epstein has been linked socially to several powerful figures including President Donald Trump, former President Bill Clinton and Britain's Prince Andrew.

 

Virginia Giuffre, one of Epstein's most prominent accusers, said of Maxwell in a statement after the hearing, "The rest of her life should be spent behind bars."

 

(Reporting by Jonathan Stempel, Karen Freifeld and Brendan Pierson in New York and Mark Hosenball in Washington; Writing by Tom Hals; Editing by Noeleen Walder and Will Dunham)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-07-15

 

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[Tug]

Makes sense she has the funds to run and support herself + she has French citizenship they won’t extradite a French citizen.also imo she is easier to get to in prison by the rich and connected 

[englishoak]

Wonder what the odds are on her being alive by the end of the year ? 

[Chomper Higgot]

She needs to wise up and do the smart thing, cut a deal and sing like a canary.

 

Let’s have the names and their crimes, then, regardless of who or what they are, hit them with the full force of the law.

 

 

 

 

[stevenl]

47 minutes ago, Tug said:

Makes sense she has the funds to run and support herself + she has French citizenship they won’t extradite a French citizen.also imo she is easier to get to in prison by the rich and connected 

Why didn't she run before she got arrested? Looks like she has the means and she had plenty of time 

[Stargeezr]

I am glad that she was denied bail, She likely has more hidden passports

at the ready outside of the USA, as well as money. Once gone it would be hard to

bring her back to the country. Hey I just think of the Red Bull kid and that says

it all.

Geezer

[rvaviator]

24 minutes ago, stevenl said:

Why didn't she run before she got arrested? Looks like she has the means and she had plenty of time 

She probably thought she was safe in her hideout .... Over confident ....

[stevenl]

1 hour ago, rvaviator said:

She probably thought she was safe in her hideout .... Over confident ....

Possibly, but unlikely.

[Hayduke]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Maxwell denied bail on charges of luring girls for Epstein

 

If the time-wasting buffoons at the FBI were up to speed on cutting-edge crime fighting and fugitive catching….they would have had a BMW Smart Car on the case. She could have been arrested months ago…jailed awaiting trial...and would almost certainly have committed suicide by now.

 

 

Edited July 15, 2020 by Hayduke

[englishoak]

1 hour ago, rvaviator said:

She probably thought she was safe in her hideout .... Over confident ....

 

She had immunity from the first trial of Epstein for any crimes 2001 to i think 2007, she did not expect pre or post dated crimes to blow up in her face and from transcripts of the initial hearing seems totally freaked out shes on the hook... certainly over confident.. she will cut a deal ive no doubt but like JE there are extremely powerful people who will want her dead rather than talking. 

 

I will be amazed if one other high profile elite "client" does any time over it though, but if I were Billy Clinton id be sweating randy Andy I doubt is so much as Royals mores the pity are a well known protected species. 

[englishoak]

6 minutes ago, Hayduke said:

 

If the time-wasting buffoons at the FBI were up to speed on cutting-edge crime fighting and fugitive catching….they would have had a BMW Smart Car on the case. She would have been caught months ago…and would have committed suicide by now.

 

 

 

They have been observing and gathering info, they have known where she has been the entire time... if your going to arrest someone this powerful with such high connections it had better be a well documented and as water tight as possible case. Epstein island has provided much new info and they have it all.  

Edited July 15, 2020 by englishoak

[Hayduke]

14 minutes ago, englishoak said:

19 minutes ago, Hayduke said:

 

If the time-wasting buffoons at the FBI were up to speed on cutting-edge crime fighting and fugitive catching….they would have had a BMW Smart Car on the case. She would have been caught months ago…and would have committed suicide by now.

 

 

 

They have been observing and gathering info, they have known where she has been the entire time... if your going to arrest someone this powerful with such high connections it had better be a well documented and as water tight as possible case. Epstein island has provided much new info and they have it all.  

Edited 10 minutes ago by englishoak

 

Sar´casm

n.

1.

A keen, reproachful expression; a satirical remark uttered with some degree of scorn or contempt; a taunt; a gibe; a cutting jest.

Edited July 15, 2020 by Hayduke

[BobBKK]

She's going to be the Scapegoat that's for sure. 

[englishoak]

7 minutes ago, Hayduke said:

 

Maybe have another cup of coffee....

Sar´casm

 

n.

1.

A keen, reproachful expression; a satirical remark uttered with some degree of scorn or contempt; a taunt; a gibe; a cutting jest.

Indeed, as was mine but maybe too dry. ????

[cmarshall]

This bail hearing seems to have been a travesty.  The purpose of a bail hearing is to decide whether the accused should be denied bail either because of a flight risk or a risk of harm to the community.  Those are the only legitimate reasons to deny bail.  Maxwell has clearly demonstrated that she is indeed a flight risk and so was rightly denied bail.  That said, what are accusers doing testifying at a bail hearing?  Guilt is for the trial court to decide.  Probability of guilt has no bearing at all on the bail decision. 

 

Seems like the prosecution is attempting to try the case in the court of public opinion.  Not good.

[Baerboxer]

2 hours ago, cmarshall said:

This bail hearing seems to have been a travesty.  The purpose of a bail hearing is to decide whether the accused should be denied bail either because of a flight risk or a risk of harm to the community.  Those are the only legitimate reasons to deny bail.  Maxwell has clearly demonstrated that she is indeed a flight risk and so was rightly denied bail.  That said, what are accusers doing testifying at a bail hearing?  Guilt is for the trial court to decide.  Probability of guilt has no bearing at all on the bail decision. 

 

Seems like the prosecution is attempting to try the case in the court of public opinion.  Not good.

 

Seems normal behavior in the US justice system these days.

[mokwit]

5 hours ago, Chomper Higgot said:

She needs to wise up and do the smart thing, cut a deal and sing like a canary.

 

Let’s have the names and their crimes, then, regardless of who or what they are, hit them with the full force of the law.

 

 

 

 

 

[Chomper Higgot]

3 hours ago, englishoak said:

 

They have been observing and gathering info, they have known where she has been the entire time... if your going to arrest someone this powerful with such high connections it had better be a well documented and as water tight as possible case. Epstein island has provided much new info and they have it all.  

Correct.

 

And interestingly the search and evidence seizures were attended by both FBI and NY State investigators.

 

Somebody thought it a good idea or to leave this entirely under control of the US AG.

[Chomper Higgot]

16 minutes ago, mokwit said:

 

Like I said, I support the prosecution of anyone and everyone against whom evidence exists of them committing child rape and sexual abuse of children,  regardless of who or what they are.

 

If Clinton is one of those, throw the book at him, likewise Trump.

 

And let’s not forget Dershowitz.

 

Let them all face the full force of the law.

Edited July 15, 2020 by Chomper Higgot

[Curt1591]

5 hours ago, Chomper Higgot said:

She needs to wise up and do the smart thing, cut a deal and sing like a canary.

 

Let’s have the names and their crimes, then, regardless of who or what they are, hit them with the full force of the law.

 

 

 

 

She, and the authorities, are both in a predicament. In her case, she's damned if she does, and damned if she doesn't. 

For her, she could commit "suicide", clam up and go down by herself, or cut a deal. If she cuts a deal, what will become of her afterwards? Can she survive if released? 

If she decides to name names, the perpetrators are so well connected, and so powerful, they can probably do an "Epstein" and make it all go away. Epstein basically walked on his first trial.

And, Epstein was only one guy. If Maxwell sings, we're looking at a gang of influential people looking to crash! I really don't see any prosecutions going anywhere fast. And, it will surely get ugly for anyone involved with the prosecution.

[Chomper Higgot]

3 minutes ago, Curt1591 said:

She, and the authorities, are both in a predicament. In her case, she's damned if she does, and damned if she doesn't. 

For her, she could commit "suicide", clam up and go down by herself, or cut a deal. If she cuts a deal, what will become of her afterwards? Can she survive if released? 

If she decides to name names, the perpetrators are so well connected, and so powerful, they can probably do an "Epstein" and make it all go away. Epstein basically walked on his first trial.

And, Epstein was only one guy. If Maxwell sings, we're looking at a gang of influential people looking to crash! I really don't see any prosecutions going anywhere fast. And, it will surely get ugly for anyone involved with the prosecution.

We’re about to find out.

[twocatsmac]

31 minutes ago, Baerboxer said:

 

Seems normal behavior in the US justice system these days.

US justice has been a joke for a long time, Maxwell is the wrong colour to get bail.

Edited July 15, 2020 by twocatsmac

[CorpusChristie]

1 minute ago, twocatsmac said:

US justice has been a joke for a long time, thinking back to OJ getting bailed for murder allegations, Maxwell is the wrong colour to get bail.

OJ got found not to be guilty of those crimes 

[twocatsmac]

1 minute ago, CorpusChristie said:

OJ got found not to be guilty of those crimes 

Maxwell hasn’t been found guilty yet.

[CorpusChristie]

2 minutes ago, twocatsmac said:

Maxwell hasn’t been found guilty yet.

The Court think Maxwell may abscond if She was given bail 

[JimmyJ]

4 hours ago, Hayduke said:

 

If the time-wasting buffoons at the FBI were up to speed on cutting-edge crime fighting and fugitive catching….

 

 

On a serious note - The buffoons at the FBI find most fugitives the way all LEOs do - by informants.

[newatthis]

41 minutes ago, CorpusChristie said:

The Court think Maxwell may abscond if She was given bail 

Yep, no doubt she'd do a Carlos Ghosn very quickly.

[Jim1000]

Captain Bob and his family have  been involved in scandal after scandal !

Wonder if they ever established whether he was jumped or pushed ?

[PJPom]

56 minutes ago, CorpusChristie said:

OJ got found not to be guilty of those crimes 

That verdict was as predictable as the Mississippi civil rights murders, right place at the right time.

[sammieuk1]

There must be a Falklands hero that can rescue her when he gets the sweat out of his eyes or she can clear everything up with the location of the video stash ????