Ghislaine Maxill’s lawyer stated that the alleged child sex trader’s treatment in prison ‘rivals scenes of Hannibal Lecter’s imprisonment in the movie Silence of the Lambs’ as jury selection begins today for her long-awaited trial.
Bobbi Sternheim demanded Maxwell’s release from jail before the trial can begin on November 29th. Maxwell had been subject to horrendous treatment and sexual abuse by guards.
The lawyer said the British socialite’s 16 months in the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn has been ‘reprehensible and utterly inappropriate for (a) woman on the cusp of turning 60 with no criminal record or history of violence’.
She said, “The surveillance rivals scenes from Dr. Hannibal Lecter’s incarceration, despite the lack of the cage or plastic face guard.”
Maxwell has already been bee
n denied bail five times and was previously deemed a ‘significant risk of flight’ by US District Judge Alison Nathan in Manhattan, who is overseeing the case.
Ghislaine Maxill’s lawyer stated that the treatment of the child-sex trafficker in prison ‘rivals scenes at Hannibal Lecter. (Photo taken with Jeffrey Epstein, 2005).
Bobbi Sternheim claimed that the treatment reminded her of Anthony Hopkins’ character from Silence of the Lambs (pictured).
Sternheim listed several reasons Maxwell renewed her $28.5million bail package. These included offers to renounce non-US citizenships, and move most assets of her and her husband into a separate account.
Sternheim wrote in her letter: “My weekly in-person legal appointments with Ms. Maxwell were conducted under the most humiliating circumstances I have ever experienced in my many decades of federal criminal law practice.” I am allowed to leave, Ms. Maxwell is not.
She stated Maxwell has suffered from back pain, headaches, and general weakness. She also claims that she was ‘touched in an inappropriate sexual manner on multiple occasions by corrections officers’.
She also said that many officers were hostile to her and had mentioned reading the media and watching television shows that amplify their hostility.
The lawyer stated that the 16-month-long imprisonment of the British socialite at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center was’reprehensible, utterly inappropriate’.
Maxwell (left with a black eye) was denied bail five times. He was previously deemed a significant risk of flying’ by Alison Nathan (right).
According to the lawyer, if she continues to receive treatment, “it is highly probable that she will not be able to assist in her defense and endure the physical demands for a five-day-per-week, multi-week court proceeding.”
Sternheim claims Maxwell is being forced to live in ‘unsanitary circumstances’ and is being given ‘insufficient nutrition’ to a point where she has lost 15 lbs and her hair is falling out.
The last-ditch effort by Maxwell to be freed is the reason for the move.
Jury selection kicks off this morning with around 600 potential jurors filling out questionnaires that will then be used to determine who sits on the panel of 12 plus six alternates.
They will be asked questions regarding trial logistics and evaluated if they are able to be impartial about an accused sexual predator.
One of the questions seen by the New York Post reads: ‘During the trial, you will hear evidence alleging sex crimes against underage girls. Some of this evidence will involve sexually explicit and sexually suggestive conduct.
“Is there anything about this case and the accusations that are summarized at the start of the questionnaire that might make it difficult to be fair and impartial juror in the case?”
Another asks: “Do you have any views or feelings regarding laws regarding the age at a person can consent to sexual activity with another individual? This would affect your ability as a fair and impartial jury member?”
Maxwell, 59 has pleaded guilty to sex traficking and other charges of helping to recruit and groom girls underage for Epstein to abuse, 1994 to 2004.
Epstein, 66, committed suicide in Manhattan prison while awaiting his trial on sex trafficking and other charges.
Ghislaine Maxiwell, a graying, shackled victim, appeared at Monday’s pretrial hearing at the federal court in New York.
Maxwell’s lawyers filed a series last-minute motions to include and block evidence from her upcoming trial for sex trafficking.
Maxwell experienced a series of legal setbacks earlier in the week at a New York pretrial hearing after a federal Judge denied her request to include a large amount of evidence in the upcoming proceedings.
Judge Alison Nathan on Monday ruled against a number of last-minute motions filed by the defense that sought to impose restrictions on prosecutors and question their decision to level charges at the trial.
The judge ruled that any evidence suggesting Maxwell’s case was brought to trial for political reasons could not be presented to the jury.
She also supported prosecutors by allowing victims pseudonyms to testify, adding an extra layer of secrecy in a case already under intense scrutiny.
Sternheim said Maxwell was awakened hours before dawn by Sternheim and forced to ‘get on her knees’ in order to get into the van to go to the hearing. She was still in leg shackles.
Sternheim said that Maxwell was not allowed to view legal documents.