Closing arguments have begun in Ghislaine Maxwell’s sex trafficking trial with the jury being told she “preyed on vulnerable kids”.
The prosecution has blasted British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell as a “sophisticated” predator during closing arguments in her sex trafficking trial.
“Ghislaine Maxwell was dangerous. She was a grown woman who preyed on vulnerable kids,” Assistant US Attorney Alison Moe told the jury.
“Maxwell ran the same playbook again and again. She groomed them. She caused deep and lasting harm to young girls. It is time to hold her accountable,” Ms Moe said. “The proof is in. It’s clear. It’s consistent and only points to one conclusion: Maxwell is guilty.”
Ms Moe highlighted her relationship with dead paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, describing them as
“a couple for 11 years, great partners, the best of friends”.
“When you’re with someone for 11 years you know what they like,” she said. “Epstein liked young girls. Epstein could not have done this alone.”
Ms Moe then showed the jury a series of intimate photos of Ms Maxwell and Epstein, which were not visible to the public or press.
She recapped the allegations put forward by Ms Maxwell’s four accusers.
“Again and again throughout this trial, you heard how these girls were asked to perform sexualised massages on Jeffrey Epstein,” she said. “It’s not an accident. It happened again and again and again. It is powerful evidence of Maxwell’s guilt.”
Four of Ms Maxwell’s siblings — Kevin, Maxwell, Isabel, Ian and Christine — arrived at the courthouse ahead of closing arguments in their sister’s trial.
Last week, Ms Maxwell, who has pleaded not guilty to six charges, refused to take the stand in her own defence last week, saying “Your honour, the government has not proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt, and so there’s no reason for me to testify.”
The defence presented its case over just two days, featuring only a handful of witnesses.
The former British socialite, 59, has denied allegations she groomed and trafficked several girls for Epstein to abuse between 1994 and 2004.
Ms Maxwell is facing up to 70 years in prison if she’s convicted on all six counts she is facing, including sex trafficking of minors and enticing a minor to travel to engage in illegal sex acts.
Originally published as Ghislaine Maxwell trial: Closing arguments begin, prosecution says she was a sophisticated predator
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