Federal Criminal Trial
The federal court-reporter transcript of Ghislaine Maxwell's 2021 criminal trial.
The jury convicted Maxwell on five of six counts and acquitted her on one. The court imposed a 20-year prison sentence, and the Second Circuit affirmed the judgment.
November 2021
A jury was sworn and instructed before the parties delivered opening statements. Epstein pilot Lawrence Visoski then began testimony about flight scheduling and household operations.
Juror 58 was excused, Visoski completed his testimony, and Jane began direct examination.
December 2021
Jane's cross-examination focused on prior accounts and compensation, followed by redirect, Matt's testimony, and Interlochen records.
Dr. Lisa Rocchio gave general expert testimony on grooming and delayed disclosure, and Juan Patricio Alessi described Ghislaine Maxwell's household instructions at the Palm Beach residence.
The Court ruled on disputed search evidence as defense continued cross-examining Juan Patricio Alessi. Gregory Parkinson and Sergeant Michael Dawson described the 2005 Palm Beach search and authenticated exhibits.
Kate testified, the court instructed jurors on limits to her testimony, and witnesses addressed bank and search records.
Carolyn testified about appointments she said Maxwell arranged at Jeffrey Epstein's Palm Beach house and was cross-examined with prior accounts and compensation materials. The court also heard digital-forensics testimony about photographs, drive imaging, and document metadata, while delaying Brian's anticipated testimony pending an inquiry into his communication with Jane.
Shawn described Carolyn's Palm Beach visits and appointment calls; the court admitted employment and message-book records, and a pilot identified flight-log entries involving Epstein, Maxwell, Jane, and Virginia Roberts.
The court rejected proposed summary-witness testimony, then heard FedEx invoice authentication and cross-examination.
The Court limited the jury's use of selected Exhibit 52 pages as Annie Farmer testified and faced cross-examination. The government rested after testimony from David James Mulligan and Janice Swain, and Judge Nathan denied the defense Rule 29 motion.
Judge Nathan set limits on defense evidence and expert testimony as the defense presented witnesses on office operations, memory science, travel records, and school files.
Judge Nathan ruled on impeachment and agent-examination issues as defense witnesses testified about FBI reports, personal observations, and office work. The defense then rested, and the evidence portion of the trial closed.
Judge Nathan resolved jury-charge and verdict-sheet language, addressed proposed instructions, and set procedures for Monday's closings.
Closing arguments concluded, Judge Nathan instructed the jury, and 12 jurors began deliberations.
The court sent requested witness transcripts, answered jury questions about an FBI document and Annie's testimony, and set further deliberation logistics.
Jurors declined Thursday deliberations, and the court prepared requested testimony transcripts before setting a Monday morning resumption.
Judge Nathan defined “entice,” directed jurors to the full Count Four instruction, and set a default deliberation schedule.
Judge Nathan kept the existing Count Four instruction and set daily deliberations amid COVID-19 concerns.
The jury returned guilty verdicts on Counts One, Three, Four, Five, and Six and a not-guilty verdict on Count Two; all jurors confirmed the verdict in an individual poll.