Ghislaine Maxwell trial: All about the alleged victims testifying in the case
As the trial of Ghislaine Maxwell began on November 29, 2021, some questions may finally be answered about the sex scandal involving late Jeffery Epstein. Maxwell was arrested on July 2, 2020, and is one of the few remaining links investigators have to Epstein after he suspiciously died in jail. The trial is likely to finally tell us how far and wide Epstein's sex trafficking ring goes. It will also hopefully bring justice to the victims.
Ghislaine Maxwell, a British socialite and Epstein’s former girlfriend is accused of having been part of a sex trafficking racket run by convicted pedophile Jeffery Epstein. She was arrested in July 2020 while she was hiding in New Hampshire. Maxwell, who was in a relationship with Epstein during the 90s, is accused of helping the billionaire sexually exploit girls. US District Judge Alison J. Nathan, after being sworn in, reminded the jury that they must rely solely on the evidence provided in the courtroom.
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Who are the alleged victims testifying in the case?
One of the many women to have accused Epstein and Maxwell of abuse, Sarah Ransome told reporters on Monday morning, November 29, upon arriving at the courthouse, "I never thought this day would come.” As many as four alleged victims will be put on the stand by the prosecution and they will be identified only as Minor Victim 1, Minor Victim 2, Minor Victim 3 and Minor Victim 4. The prosecution began their opening argument, saying, "I want to tell you about a young girl named Jane”, which is a reference to the anonymous Jane Doe pseudonym.
Minor Victim 1 was reportedly about 14 years of age when Esptein abused her at his homes in New York and Florida. Maxwell allegedly involved the girl in “sexualized massages” on Epstein.
Epstein allegedly abused Minor Victim 2 at his New Mexico ranch in 1996. Maxwell allegedly encouraged the victim to massage Epstein and also gave her an unsolicited topless massage.
Minor Victim 3 was allegedly introduced to Epstein in London when she was 17 years old, and over the age of consent. Maxwell has been accused of encouraging her to perform sexualized massages on Epstein in 1994 and 1995.
Minor Victim 4 was allegedly recruited to give Epstein sexualized massages at his Palm Beach mansion when she was 14 years old, between 2001 and 2004. At Maxwell's bidding, she also allegedly recruited younger women for Epstein.
In March 2021, two new US federal charges were filed against Maxwell -- of being part of a sex trafficking conspiracy and sex trafficking of a minor. Before these two charges were added to the indictment, Maxwell was already facing six more -- conspiracy to entice minors, and enticement of a minor, to travel to engage in illegal sex acts; conspiracy to transport minors, and transportation of a minor, with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, and two of perjury. So far, she has denied all of these charges.
Prosecutors have maintained that Maxwell helped Epstein groom and recruit girls who were as young as 14 years of age. The indictment also says that Maxwell “assisted, facilitated and contributed” to Epstein’s abuse of minor girls. It says that she helped him recruit, groom and abuse the victims, who “were known to Maxwell” and were under the age of 18.