Advertisement

Ghislaine Maxwell: New video emerges of Jeffrey Epstein raid

A court has been shown video of a police raid on Jeffrey Epstein’s house as the jury prepares to deliver a verdict in the trial of Ghislaine Maxwell.

Maxwell, a 59-year-old socialite, has denied allegations from four women who say they were teens when she helped wealthy financier Epstein sexually abuse them.

Her lawyers say she has been wrongly targeted by prosecutors intent on holding someone — anyone — accountable after Epstein killed himself while awaiting trial on related sex-abuse charges.

On Monday, prosecutors shared video of a 2005 raid on Epstein’s house in Palm Beach, Florida. It was released as part of the investigation into Epstein in 2019, New York Post reported.

 Ghislaine Maxwell pictured with Jeffrey Epstein.
Ghislaine Maxwell is facing court accused of helping Jeffrey Epstein prey on teenage girls. Source: AAP

The hour-long video, which shows police with guns drawn raiding the home, offers another glimpse into the life of Epstein.

Numerous pictures and paintings of nude women are seen on the walls. A sketch of Maxwell appearing to hold a dog is also seen.

The court was also shown new exhibits including sex toys found during the raid and a photo of one of Epstein’s accusers Annie Farmer.

Assistant US Attorney Maurene Comey told the court on Monday Maxwell viewed those accusing her and Epstein as “just trash”.

Ms Comey attacked defence portrayals of the women who testified about abuse that happened to them as teenagers.

The prosecutor said Maxwell played a pivotal role in Epstein’s quest to sexually abuse teenage girls.

Defence lawyer Laura Menninger had argued the women’s recollections of abuse by Epstein and Maxwell were flawed memories manipulated decades later by lawyers seeking payouts or US government investigators seeking a scapegoat after the wealthy financier killed himself in a federal jail in 2019 while awaiting his own sex trafficking trial.

Ms Comey called a defence claim Maxwell didn’t know about the abuse that occurred for more than a decade a "laughable argument".

A sketch of Ghislaine Maxwell is seen hanging in Jeffrey Epstein's Florida home.
A sketch of Maxwell hangs in Epstein's home. Source: Southern District of New York

“Those four witnesses gave you the most damaging testimony in this trial,” she said.

“These women put themselves through the hell of testifying at this trial even though they have nothing to gain.”

Ms Comey added: “They did it for justice.”

The prosecutor started her remarks by disputing a claim by the defence that nearly all the evidence pertained to Epstein and Maxwell did not deserve to be blamed as a conspirator in his crimes.

A bed seen in Jeffrey Epstein's Florida home.
A bed in the Epstein home. Source: Southern District of New York

Assistant US Attorney Alison Moe called Maxwell the “lady of the house” when Epstein abused girls at a New York mansion, a Florida estate and a New Mexico ranch.

“Ghislaine Maxwell was dangerous,” Ms Moe said.

But Ms Menninger said prosecutors had failed to prove any charges beyond a reasonable doubt.

“Ghislaine Maxwell is an innocent woman, wrongfully accused of crimes she did not commit,” she said.

“Ghislaine Maxwell is not Jeffrey Epstein.”

One of the bathrooms in Jeffrey Epstein's Florida home is seen.
A bathroom in the house seen during the raid in 2005. Source: Southern District of New York

She cited numerous inconsistencies in statements made by women over the years, saying “their memories are highly flawed” and there are “many reasons to hesitate and many reasons to doubt”.

“She’s being tried here for being with Jeffrey Epstein. Maybe that’s the biggest mistake of her life, but it’s not a crime,” she said.

The jury have been told to return for deliberations on Tuesday about 9am (local time).

with The Associated Press

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Twitter and download the Yahoo News app from the App Store or Google Play.