The juror stated, “I didn’t lie to get on this jury.”
In an attempt to determine whether revelations about the juror’s personal history as a survivor of sex abuse will affect the verdict in the sextrafficking trial, a U.S. judge interrogated him extensively.
Maxwell’s lawyers, who were present in court wearing a dark blue jail shirt and dark blue pants, said that the verdict should not be accepted. Maxwell’s lawyers could have objected that Maxwell was present on the jury. This would be on account of him not being fair to another person accused of similar crimes.
Maxwell, 60 years old, was convicted of sexually abusing multiple teenage girls between 1994 and 2004 by Jeffrey Epstein, a financier.
As U.S. District Judge Alison J. Nathan questioned him, he repeatedly expressed regret that he hadn’t disclosed repeated instances of sexual abuse by two individuals at the age of 9 and 10.
The juror identified himself as Juror No. 50 said, “This is the greatest mistake I’ve ever made in all my life.” 50 said this as he looked directly into the eyes of the judge.
He said that he had “flew through the questions” and was also distracted by conversations and movements nearby of potential jurors dropping off completed questionnaires only a few feet away. “I honestly didn’t think I would be selected for this jury.”
A juror stated that he had also answered incorrectly a question about whether he was ever a victim of crime, partly because the sex abuse that he suffered “doesn’t define me.”
He said, “I don’t feel like I am a victim to a crime.” It’s not something that I think about. It was so far back that it isn’t part of my identity.
The judge allowed lawyers involved in the case to submit briefs until March 15, so that they could decide whether or not the verdict should be rescinded. Maxwell is due to be sentenced in June.
After the trial, the juror gave several interviews to media in which he admitted that he had been abused. He said that he persuaded some jurors to believe that the victim’s poor memory doesn’t necessarily mean it didn’t occur during deliberations.
In November, all potential jurors were asked to complete a screening form asking: “Have any of your friends or family members ever been victims of sexual harassment, abuse, or assault?” This includes attempted or actual sexual assault, as well as any other unwanted sexual advances, by strangers, family members, teachers, supervisors, or colleagues. )”
The juror checked “No.” In interviews, the juror stated that he doesn’t recall being asked that question. 48.
Before he answered any questions, the judge granted juror immunity. He stated that he would not invoke the Fifth Amendment privilege without it.
Maxwell lawyers asked Nathan to order a new trial immediately after the juror’s statements. Nathan refused, saying she couldn’t do it without questioning her juror.
Maxwell’s sister Isabel said that Maxwell wanted a new trial.
She stated that a full and impartial jury was the foundation of the criminal justice system, and must be maintained.
After a month-long trial, Maxwell was convicted on charges of sex traficking and other offenses. She also faced testimony from four women who claimed she helped set them up for abuse by Epstein.
Epstein, 66 years old, committed suicide in August 2019, as he waited for his trial in New York federal prison on related charges of sex trafficking.
Maxwell claims she is innocent
