Ghislaine Maxwell’s bid for new trial denied, judge rules

Ghislaine Maxwell's bid for a new trial has been denied, the judge in her Manhattan federal court sex-trafficking case said.

Former British socialite Maxwell repeatedly requested a new trial after a juror on her case failed to disclose childhood sexual abuse during jury selection.

Juror No 50, Scotty David, was questioned in court on 8 March about this omission. David told Judge Alison Nathan that he was distracted when quickly completing a screening questionnaire for then-prospective panelists.

One week after David answered Nathan's questions, Maxwell's attorneys reiterated their request for a new trial.

David told Nathan that his failure to mention childhood sexual abuse was an "honest mistake" and that he was deeply remorseful. David was given immunity to testify, having previously indicated that he would invoke his fifth amendment right against self-incrimination.

Maxwell was found guilty on 29 December of sex-trafficking and related charges for bringing girls - some just 14 - to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein, for him to sexually abuse. Maxwell insists that she's innocent.

Epstein, a convicted sex offender whose high-profile associates once included Prince Andrew, was apprehended in July 2019 for sex trafficking. He killed himself while New York federal jail, pending his trial.

Following Maxwell's trial, David gave interviews during which he discussed experiencing sexually abuse as a child. David claimed that he told the jury about this so they could understand things from a victim's perspective.

David's comments prompted questions, as would-be jurors were asked about a history of abuse during selection proceedings. The questionnaire asked, for example: "Have you or a friend ever been the victim of sexual harassment, sexual abuse or sexual assault?"

When David's comments were revealed, prosecutors requested that Nathan carry out an inquiry into his comments. Maxwell's lawyers made a similar request shortly thereafter, and then repeatedly asked Nathan for a new trial given David's statements.

Prosecutors repeatedly argued against a new trial, noting David's adamance that he did not leave out this abuse intentionally.

"After the thoughtful and thorough hearing held by this court, it is crystal clear that the defendant received a fair trial," prosecutors said in court papers. "Juror 50's sworn testimony at the hearing made evident that he did not deliberately lie in completing the questionnaire, but that he instead made an honest mistake."