Maxwell process
Witness “Jane” testifies against Epstein confidante Maxwell – and also mentions Donald Trump
In this sketch of the courtroom, Ghislaine Maxwell (l) speaks to her main defender Bobbi Sternheim. Photo: Elizabeth Williams / AP / dpa
© dpa-infocom GmbH
On the second day of the trial, the first main witness in court made serious allegations against Jeffrey Epstein’s ex-partner Ghislaine Maxwell.
In the abuse trial against Ghislaine Maxwell, the first main witness testified against Jeffrey Epstein’s ex-partner.
The woman, who goes by the name of “Jane”, told the New York court on Tuesday, according to media reports, that she was only 14 years old when the alleged crimes began. First she was approached by Maxwell and Epstein in 1994 in a holiday camp, then the multimillionaire invited her over and abused her for years.
Witness incriminates Ghislaine Maxwell
There were “kissing, oral sex with each other, oral sex with Jeffrey (and) full sexual intercourse”, several people were involved, said the witness, according to the “New York Times”. Maxwell was present at some of the actions. In addition, she went with the girl to buy underwear, among other things, or invited her elsewhere. Of her feelings after her first abuse by Epstein, she said, “I was scared and felt gross and ashamed.”
She also mentioned two famous men: Donald Trump and Prince Andrew. When she was 14 years old, Jeffrey Epstein is said to have driven her to “Mar-a-Lago”, where Trump was waiting for her. She also testified that she remembered being on Epstein’s private jet, the Lolita Express, with Prince Andrew.
Defense fuels suspicion
The defense portrayed the witness, who is now an actress, in cross-examination as a woman who is used to playing roles. Attorney Bobbi Sternheim also emphasized that the witness only brought in a lawyer when a possible financial compensation from a fund appeared possible.
The trial of Maxwell started on Monday and is estimated to last six weeks, the prosecution relies on four main witnesses. The cases to be tried 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. The multimillionaire, who is known to many celebrities, was found dead in a New York prison cell over two years ago, and an autopsy concluded that it was suicide. There was therefore never a trial against him.