The jury weighing Ghislaine Maxwell’s fate revealed late Tuesday afternoon that it is “making progress” after its fourth full day of deliberations – and the judge said she may ask the panel to huddle every day this week till it reaches a verdict.
The jurors sent a note to Judge Alison Nathan about 4:45 p.m., writing they were making headway in reaching a verdict.
“Our deliberations are moving along, and we are making progress. We are at a good point,” they wrote.
They then asked to be dismissed at 5 p.m. and return Wednesday at 9 a.m.
Nathan agreed to the request — but also warned the panelists that they should be prepared to deliberate every day this week, including Friday, New Year’s Eve, until they reach a verdict.
The strict schedule is necessary because of an “astronomical spike” in COVID-19 cases in the city, Nathan said.
Ghislaine Maxwell, who is on trial on sex-trafficking charges, pulls down her mask to sip from a cup as deliberations extended into a second week. REUTERS/Jane Rosenberg/File Photo
Ghislaine Maxwell faces up to 70 years in prison if she is convicted. Joe Schildhorn/Patrick McMullan via Getty ImagesEarlier Tuesday, Nathan told prosecutors and Maxwell’s defense lawyers, “We are very simply at a different place regarding the pandemic than we were a week ago.
“There is a high and escalating risk that jurors and/or trial participants may need to quarantine,” she added.
Maxwell, 60, is on trial for allegedly recruiting and enticing several girls for financier Jeffrey Epstein to abuse from 1994 to 2004. She faces a maximum of 70 years in prison if convicted on all six counts against her.
Judge Alison Nathan has asked jurors to stay until 6 p.m. every day until they reach a verdict. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz
The new measures come as rising COVID-19 cases spark fears that jurors might have to quarantine. REUTERS/Jane RosenbergThe panelists were quiet for most of Tuesday as they deliberated on her fate behind closed doors. They have previously sent out notes to the judge requesting everything from testimony transcripts to office supplies.
On Monday, the jurors asked for clarification on evidence they can take into account while deciding if Maxwell is guilty of transporting a minor with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity. Nathan referred the jury to the legal instructions she gave them when they first began deliberations.
The jury also asked for a number of office supplies to aid in their deliberations Monday, including Post-it notes, highlighters and whiteboard paper.
