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    • Dec 21, 2021
    • 5 min read

Ghislaine Maxwell Trial

Updated: Jan 12, 2022

Dec 21st Trial Notes



OK - it's US v. #GhislaineMaxwell jury deliberations Day 1, now first jury note - Inner City Press will live tweet the deliberations, thread below


Judge Nathan took to the bench at 10:10 am and said, I've gotten a note. The jury wants the transcripts of the testimony of Jane, Annie and Carolyn. It will be assembled and sent to them via the Court Security Officer, who's been sworn in for this function.


Courtroom is empty again; three long transcripts going back to jury. For now, Inner City Press has objection and uploaded the (partially redacted) US Attorney's Office slides from yesterday's closing argument, put 'em here on DocumentCloud


As of 11 am, current status in Courtroom 318: empty, but sitting at defense table are Maxwell's official lawyer Bobbi Sternheim and unofficial / undocketed lawyer or photo-fixer Leah Saffian:


It's an inexact science - the jury went to their deliberation room for an hour yesterday, but I'm not sure that should really be called deliberation. Today, three hours so far, and clearly deliberating - they're request the testimony of three witnesses

Replying to @innercitypress

Any way you can give us a timed verdict watch? How long have they been deliberating? TIA


Update fwiw at 12:55 pm - still no prosecutors at their table, now 2 (or 3, counting Saffian) Maxwell counsel at theirs, no more notes from jury. In the lull, Inner City Press uploaded the redacted defense closing sides initially withheld:



No question some redactions are legit. But it should not only be up to the sides or parties to agree what to withhold from the public, esp in cases like here in which both sides want to exclude the public. So Inner City Press opposes:

Replying to @Kalebeam1 and @innercitypress

Redactions can be something as simple as not exposing somebody's social security number to the public. It really depends what and why something is being redacted. The sides can argue over what is or should be redacted.


Update of 1:22 pm - they have brought Ghislaine Maxwell out to the defense table. The other, listed counsel scatter and Gislaine is talking one on one with Leah Saffian. No In-N-Out Burger photo can be taken in the courtroom. But something is afoot



Just to tamp down expectation from this "afoot-ness" --Maxwell has been taken back in the holding cell. The burst of action, sources neither prosecution or defense say, was to agree on redactions on the testimony to be given to the jury (sidebars out, etc.)


Update of 2:51 pm - Courtroom 318 is populating again; word is, there is a jury note. Ghislaine Maxwell has been brought out again. Judge Nathan: I have a note. "We would like the FBI deposition 3505-005 referred to by the defense." AUSA: That is not in evidence.


Maxwell's lawyer: There is impeachment [of Carolyn] in that document, although we acknowledge it is not in evidence. So we proposed not saying, It is not in evidence. Judge Nathan: How about, All admitted exhibits are before you? AUSA: Fine.


Maxwell's lawyer: Why not say, You have the admitted evidence about 3505-005. Just don't say it is not in evidence. Judge Nathan: They are asking for the document, I presume because they have the testimony about it. [Pauses to write something out by hand]


Judge Nathan: It is not an exhibit, the testimony about it, you have. I'll just send in a note for efficiency. I'll say: "3505-005 is not an admitted exhibit but the testimony about it," you have. Agreed. All rise! Verdict Watch continues. Watch this feed.



Maxwell's lawyers wanted Judge Nathan to come back, and she has. Maxwell's lawyer wants a copy of the note. Judge Nathan: The foreperson has signed the note. So we have to redact it. So I will just read it to you again.


Judge Nathan: Counsel are aware of the identity of the jurors. So I'll just redact it as to the public. All rise! OK - back to verdict watch. More are opining, no verdict today at this rare. Inner City Press remains on the case


Now 4:06 pm - Judge Nathan: I have received a note. The jurors say they want to end today at 5 pm, deliberate tomorrow from 9 to 4:30 & have lunch at noon. [And if not decision by the end of Dec 22?] Judge Nathan: It is possible for them to deliberate on Thursday


Maxwell's lawyer Sternheim: Will you offer then Thursday, so they can make arrangement? Judge Nathan: We could tell them that. [If memory serves, the defense did not want the deliberations to take place under the deadline of Christmas. Now, they seem to like it




Update of 4:30 pm - Jury has another note / question: Can we consider Annie's testimony conspiracy to commit a crime in Counts 1 and 3? AUSA: Say yes.


Maxwell's lawyer: If someone asks, can I drive, you could answer, Yes but within the speed limit. Judge Nathan: I'm going to answer, Yes you may. Please been back at 4:55 so we can let the jurors go at 5 pm. Story coming on http://InnerCityPress.com



#MaximumMaxwell: In US v. #GhislaineMaxwell Case, Jury Asks If Can Use Annie Farmer Testimony For Conspiracy & Is Told "Yes," Schedules 2d Day and Maybe 3d- story:



And the defense lost out on how Judge Nathan would respond to it. They might have suggested, It's all in the charge I read you. Instead, Judge Nathan told the jury, Yes you may [use Annie Farmer testimony to convict for conspiracy]

Replying to @innercitypress

that was not a great question for the defense.


Here is the story:

And here is a photo - screenshot - of the Count 1 and 3 the jury asked about, if they can use Annie's testimony to confirm under these counts (A: Yes, you may)



Jury entering! Judge Nathan: The timing tomorrow is fine, give Ms. Williams your lunch order on the way out. If you have not completed your deliberations it's possible for you to continue your deliberation on Dec 23. And, wear your masks except eating or drinking


Jury leaves. Judge Nathan: So did you finally finish agreeing on the redactions to the transcript? AUSA: Yes. Judge Nathan: It was frustrating to have them wait for 3 hours. Adjourned. Story is up - now out to Foley Square for live-streaming - watch this feed


... in which Inner City Press asked Ghislaine Maxwell's sister and her personal lawyer / Internet provider Leah Saffian what they thought of the jury's question about using Annie Farmer's testimony under Counts 1 & 3. From Min 6:20



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