We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info
It marks the first time an alleged victim who witnessed the Duke of York on an Epstein flight has appeared before a jury. Known in court as “Jane”, she was asked about her time on the late US billionaire’s private jet, nicknamed the “Lolita Express”.
Cross-examined during British socialite Maxwell’s sex trafficking trial, Jane was asked by defence lawyer Laura Menninger: “Do you remember Prince Andrew being on a flight with you?” Jane replied: “Yes.”
Andrew, 61, has been under fire for his close ties to Epstein, who killed himself in jail in 2019 as he awaited trial for sex trafficking.
He is also facing a lawsuit from Virginia Giuffre, who claims Epstein and Maxwell, 59, made her have sex with the prince three times, beginning in 2001 when she was 17.
Andrew has emphatically denied any wrongdoing.
Telling of flights on Epstein’s jet, Jane said she was trafficked across the US to be abused by the financier.
Jane, who said she first met Maxwell and Epstein at the Interlochen Music Camp in Michigan when she was 14, also recalled being introduced to future US president Donald Trump.
Maxwell’s youngest alleged victim said Epstein took her to Mr Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida in 1994.
Earlier, after her evidence was challenged at New York’s Lower Manhattan Court, Jane denied inventing a memory of Maxwell being involved in sexual abuse.
Maxwell, described as “dangerous” during the trial’s opening statements, is accused of preying on vulnerable young girls and luring them to massage rooms to be molested by
Epstein between 1994 and 2004. Jane said on Tuesday that, aged 14, she had been summoned to an orgy by Maxwell and Epstein and was “frozen with fear”.
Yesterday, Ms Menninger asked: “It is true that you do not recall Ghislaine ever touching you?” Jane replied: “That’s not true.”
Jane said she did not tell anybody about any abuse because she was “terrified”
and “felt gross and ashamed”.
She told jurors Epstein had used sex toys on her and he and Maxwell fondled each other while “casually giggling” in front of the teenager.
Ms Menninger said: “You spoke to the Government in December 2019 with your lawyers there and you told them at that time that you were not sure whether Maxwell ever touched you during these encounters.
“You told the Government you were not sure if Ghislaine ever kissed you. You told the Government you had no memory of Ghislaine being present when you claim Epstein engaged in any sexual contact, correct?” Jane replied: “I don’t recall.”
Ms Menninger said: “As you sit here today, you are not sure you were ever alone in a room with Ghislaine and Epstein, correct?” Jane replied: “No.”
What is happening where you live? Find out by adding your postcode or visit InYourArea
Jane told the court it was correct to say Maxwell never watched her perform a sexual act on Epstein.
Asked if she had come up with a memory of Maxwell being involved in any sexual encounters, she said: “I don’t believe I have come up with a memory, no.”
In one answer during crossexamination, Jane made it clear she was never asked or ordered to have sex with any of Epstein’s powerful friends.
Before day three of her trial, Maxwell nodded at her sister Isabel and brother Kevin as she entered the courtroom.
Wearing a charcoal grey jumper and a black face mask, she had separate conversations with her siblings as they leaned over the bench in front of them.
She embraced her counsel a number of times before the beginning of the court session and sipped from a water bottle.
Maxwell faces six charges – conspiracy to entice minors to travel to engage in illegal sex acts; enticement of a minor to travel to engage in illegal sex acts; conspiracy to transport minors with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity; transporting a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity; sex trafficking conspiracy; and sex trafficking of a minor.
She is also accused of lying under oath by hiding her participation in Epstein’s offences during a separate civil case.
If convicted she faces up to 70 years in prison.
Maxwell, who has been held in a US jail since her arrest in July last year, denies all charges. The trial continues.
Source: Read Full Article