Epstein’s massage table brought into courtroom

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Watch live as Ghislaine Maxwell trial continues in New York City

The trial of British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell has adjourned for the weekend in New York City. The59-year-old is answering to charges related to her alleged involvement in financier Jeffrey Epstein’s sex crimes.

Rounding out a week of testimony, on Friday, jurors were shown video footage of the inside of the Palm Beach house at the centre of the allegations. Epstein’s massage table, where much of the abuse is alleged to have occurred, was brought into the courtroom.

His former housekeeper, Juan Alessi, testified in detail on Thursday afternoon about his duties at the Palm Beach mansion, what he saw happen there, and Ms Maxwell’s role. He appeared to back up much of the testimony of the accuser known as “Jane” from earlier in the week.

Ms Maxwell, who spent decades rubbing shoulders with British royals and US presidents, is accused of recruiting and grooming underage girls for the late disgraced financier to sexually abuse between 1994 and 2004.

If found guilty, she faces up to 35 years in jail. The trial is expected to last six weeks.

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Neither witness this morning mentioned Maxwell

Neither of today’s prosecution witnesses has mentioned Ghislaine Maxwell.

Dr Rocchio is speaking in general terms about the definition of child sexual grooming — which victims have accused Ms Maxwell of, in addition to participating in the abuse — but has not talked specifically about this case.

Mr Kane’s testimony established that Epstein was financially responsible for the tuition of an unnamed student transferring to a New York private school. The jury is able to see the relevant documents and names, but they are not publicly available.

This builds a picture around the evidence of the other witnesses and victims, and it must be remembered that there are still at least three more accusers still to testify, and this trial is scheduled to run for six weeks.

Oliver O’Connell2 December 2021 16:49

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Maxwell’s lawyers question Dr Rocchio

In an objection studded round of questioning, Ms Maxwell’s lawyer quizzed Dr Rocchio regarding what might impair someone’s memory of an incident.

Oliver O’Connell2 December 2021 17:01

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Ms Maxwell’s lawyer questioned Dr Rocchio about what constitutes grooming of a child, asking: “My grandfather liked to take me to the Bronx Zoo. Was that grooming?”

Dr Rocchio is clear that grooming occurs in five stages: obtaining access to the victim; isolating them for abuse; engaging in deception to build trust/attachment; desensitising the victim to sexual talk/touch; process of control, to allow continuation of abuse and prevent disclosure.

Oliver O’Connell2 December 2021 17:14

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New witness: Juan Patricio Alessi

The prosecution has called a new witness, Juan Patricio Alessi, originally of Quito, Ecuador, but a Florida resident since early 1984.

He worked for a wealthy family in Palm Beach as a maintenance contractor.

Mr Alessi then went to work for Epstein as a housekeeper, having met him while working on billionaire Les Wexner’s mother’s house, he says.

He had a room in the house at Palm Beach and brought in his wife to help out with the work, as well as other women.

Oliver O’Connell2 December 2021 17:19

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Alessi describes how things changed with arrival of Maxwell

Mr Alessi testified that after Ms Maxwell became involved with Epstein, things changed and were less cordial at the Palm Beach mansion. She told him that she was “the lady of the house”.

He says there was less conversation and he was instructed by Ms Maxwell not to look Epstein in the eyes

The former housekeeper worked 14-hour days and was called John by the pair.

One of his tasks was to put $100 bills in each of Epstein’s cars.

The court has now adjourned for lunch.

Oliver O’Connell2 December 2021 17:45

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What we’ve learned so far from inside the courtroom

The Independent’s Bevan Hurley reports from the courthouse in Lower Manhattan.

Oliver O’Connell2 December 2021 18:45

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Housekeeper: Maxwell and Epstein shared a bedroom

The former housekeeper Juan Alessi continues his testimony following the lunch break.

He is describing Epstein’s Palm Beach mansion in great detail and a blueprint of the house is visible on screens in the courtroom. Mr Alessi said he painted it pink for Epstein.

Referring to the second floor of the house he says that Ms Maxwell and Epstein shared a bedroom but had separate bathrooms.

Oliver O’Connell2 December 2021 18:55

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In the morning session, Mr Alessi said that the house had to be run “like a five-star hotel” and “the cars had to be immaculate”.

When asked to identify Ms Maxwell in the court he appeared to struggle for a moment given that she is wearing a face mask, but their eyes met, she nodded at him and he picked her out correctly as wearing a black sweater.

He earlier described her as a “pretty girl”, “tall” and “brunette” and said she was with Epstein 95 per cent of the time.

Oliver O’Connell2 December 2021 18:59

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Alessi saw women by pool ‘hundreds of times’, the majority topless

Assistant US Attorney Comey asked if Mr Alessi saw females by the pool at the house, to which he replied “hundreds of times” adding that they were topless 75 to 80 per cent of the time.

He said that most were in their 20s.

Oliver O’Connell2 December 2021 19:03

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Mr Alessi says he once flew on Epstein’s first plane, but not the Boeing or Gulfstream.

He also visited the private island, Little St James, while on a cruise to St Thomas with his wife, and once went to Ms Maxwell’s London townhouse on her invitation.

Oliver O’Connell2 December 2021 19:12

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