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Prosecutors in Ghislaine Maxwell’s sex-trafficking case are searching for a spring sentencing date – however protection attorneys for the convicted madam need to maintain off till they know for sure whether she’ll face another trial.
The disagreement between the 2 sides was outlined in a Monday letter to Manhattan federal Choose Alison Nathan.
The be aware additionally included a shock replace from prosecutors, who mentioned they’re able to dismiss two perjury charges against Maxwell if her retrial bid fails.
“Within the occasion the defendant’s post-trial motions are denied, the Authorities is ready to dismiss the severed perjury counts on the time of sentencing, in mild of the victims’ important pursuits in bringing closure to this matter and avoiding the trauma of testifying once more,” prosecutors wrote.
A perjury trial towards Maxwell seemed to be on the horizon — as final week the decide requested prosecutors and the protection to submit a proposed schedule for the case.
Maxwell faces two counts for allegedly mendacity below oath in a sworn deposition she gave in 2016 in a defamation case introduced towards her by Jeffrey Epstein accuser Virginia Roberts Giuffre within the Southern District of New York.
Maxwell, 60, was convicted late last month of sex-trafficking and different costs for luring and grooming underage ladies for her longtime companion, Jeffrey Epstein, to abuse between 1994 and 2004.
Nonetheless, the disgraced socialite’s conviction was thrown into chaos final week after a juror revealed to a number of media retailers that he’s a childhood intercourse abuse survivor.
The juror claimed he wasn’t requested about his sexual abuse historical past through the jury choice course of. However potential jurors were in fact asked multiple questions about their previous experiences with sexual abuse and have been warned their responses might be factored into figuring out their skill to be neutral.
The juror who spoke to Reuters, recognized by his first and center names, Scotty David, mentioned he “flew via” the questionnaire, however was certain that he answered the query honestly.
The revelations prompted Maxwell’s attorneys to name for a brand new trial and prosecutors to request a probe into the jury.
Prosecutors requested for Maxwell to be sentenced in three to 4 months, however the protection opposed setting a timetable, arguing there’s a “compelling foundation” to overturn her conviction.
Maxwell faces up to 65 years in prison on her conviction.
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