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Juror revelations may jeopardize Ghislaine Maxwell verdict — Analysis

Lawyers for the convicted sex trafficker say the comments provide ‘incontrovertible grounds’ for a new trial

Ghislaine Maxwell’s lawyers have been allowed to apply for a retrial, after reports emerged that two jurors may have swayed others to convict her for sex trafficking by revealing their own childhood sexual abuse histories.

Alison Nathan, a New York judge gave Wednesday’s defense deadline of January 19, for them to file a motion to cancel the conviction. Maxwell’s lawyers had told the court that there were “incontrovertible grounds for a new trial” after one juror – identified as “Scotty David” – told various media outlets that he’d revealed his experience of abuse during jury deliberations.

Prosecutors also asked the judge to conduct a hearing into Scotty David’s interviews next month. The 35-year-old Manhattan resident told Reuters on Tuesday that he brought up his history after some jurors were skeptical about the accounts of two of Maxwell’s accusers.

“When I shared that, they were able to sort of come around on… the memory aspect of the sexual abuse,”David spoke to the media, saying that he had been waiting until high school to speak to others about his abuse in an attempt to understand why certain victims might not have spoken up sooner.

Jury reaches decision in Ghislaine Maxwell sex trafficking trial

Add that to the equation. “flew through”The jury selection questionnaire revealed that the juror claimed he couldn’t recall a question asking about his personal experience with sexual abuse. However, he maintained that he would have responded honestly. The Daily Mail also heard from him. “they don’t ask your sexual abuse history”During the selection procedure.

Court records show, however that around 230 potential jurors were given questionnaires asking if any of them or anyone they know had suffered sexual abuse. Daily Mail reported that they were asked to indicate whether such experiences would impact their impartiality.

David said to the newspaper that he was sorry for his actions. “definitely remembered”Filling in the questionnaire at selection day 1 “would have definitely marked Yes,”He added, “He “honestly [doesn’t] remember the question.” But he did recall a question about “family or relative or something being sexually abused.”

In an interview with The New York Times a second juror revealed to The Times that they also talked about being sexually abused in their youth during jury deliberations. The paper was told it by them. “appeared to help shape the jury’s discussions.”

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