c/o Inner City Press
Extra Details in comments (c/o Adam Klasfled)
PREVIOUS UPDATES
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29 Nov https://greatawakening.win/p/140c066vhu/ghislaine-maxwell-case-updates/ https://archive.ph/UJvbk
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30 Nov https://greatawakening.win/p/140c4iFhTt/ghislaine-maxwell-case-updates-n/ https://archive.ph/CP0IO
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1 Dec https://greatawakening.win/p/140c4mlM5Q/ghislaine-maxwell-case-updates-d/ https://archive.md/kvjoj
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2 Dec https://greatawakening.win/p/140c9NlRh7/ghislaine-maxwell-case-updates-d/ https://archive.md/5iA5T
1411GMT
Before Jury Enters
Maxwell's lawyer: Seeing semen on the table is going to be prejudicial.
AUSA: It was a white stain. It is entirely probative as to whether these massages were just messages or were in fact sexual.
Judge Nathan: I would permit lab tests
Assistant US Attorney: The fact that Mr. Epstein had a collection of school girl uniforms is relevant.
Maxwell's lawyer: This has little connection to Ms. Maxwell and is prejudicial.
AUSA: School girl costumes, small ones, were found in the massage room.
Maxwell's lawyer: They should not be described as school girl uniforms.
AUSA: I'll just lay a foundation then ask the witness about them.
Judge Nathan: You could say, Without describing them, did you find these items.
Maxwell's lawyer: The interior and art work changed, by 2019. The witness we call "Jane" said it was creepy, with drawing of monsters on the walls and naked women. We think these photos should be excluded. The photos of nude girls in the massage room
Judge Nathan: Maybe there's a way to position two screens, and only show them to the jurors. I'll ask Ms. Williams to ask the A/V people. Can show video so that only the jurors can see it, and no one else? We'll see. Please bring in the jurors.
Jury Enters
Judge Nathan: Mr. Alessi, you may return to the stand.
Jury enters. All rise!
Maxwell's lawyer: Mr. Alessi, you said you are called Juan but don't you sometimes say, "I am John"?
ALessi: I am John, in English.
Maxwell's lawyer: Ms. Maxwell speaks Spanish and called you Juan. You did not take it as an insult, no?
Alessi: No, I did not.
Maxwell's lawyer: You took $6300 dollars, right?
Alessi: Yes.
Maxwell's lawyer: But didn't you lie - when you stole twice, in fact?
Alessi: I did not lie.
Maxwell's lawyer: Didn't you try to steal a gun? Didn't you steal over $5000 to pay for the immigration papers of your girlfriend?
Alessi: It was not my girlfriend.
Maxwell's lawyer: Police Officer Dawson questioned you?
Alessi: No, I went to him.
Maxwell's lawyer: You told him you went in to steal a gun.
Alessi: I don't recall.
Maxwell's lawyer: You might have said it, but now you don't recall?
Alessi: That's it.
Maxwell's lawyer: And you went back once again to steal money?
Alessi: I did it one time & I think that is what I told the police.
Maxwell's lawyer: You went through the sliding glass door and stole $5600 from Mr. Epstein's briefcase, $100 bills in a white envelope?
Maxwell's lawyer: Show the witness 3504-002, deposition transcript. I move for admission under Rule 801.
[Note: "(A) is inconsistent with the declarant’s testimony & was given under penalty of perjury at a trial, hearing, or other proceeding or in a deposition]
Maxwell's lawyer: You stole $6000, when you owned properties valued at $1 million.
Alessi: I sold those properties, to buy the property for the multi-family.
Maxwell's lawyer: Let's look again at 3504-002, deposition page 145.
[Note: During all this, Ghislaine Maxwell is leaning back and even masked, seems pleased with herself. When first we practice to deceive...]
Maxwell's lawyer: I'm having trouble seeing in here.
1502GMT
ALERT: Maxwell's lawyer has just openly said the real name of one of the pseudonymous survivor witnesses.
Judge Nathan: Your are admonished to abide by my rulings.
AUSA: May we approach?
Sidebar
1505GMT
Maxwell's lawyer pointedly says, "Mr. Alessi, you testified about when JANE met Mr. Epstein and Ms. Maxwell."
Alessi: In this testimony I mistook the two --
Maxwell's lawyer: In 2016 you were directed to the name JANE and you said No
Now Maxwell's lawyer is cross examining Juan Alessi about Epstein's Palm Beach house. Unclear what Judge Nathan will do about Team Maxwell repeatedly blurting out the real names of pseudonymous survivor(s).
Maxwell's lawyer: Do you see the notation, new moldings in the bedrooms?
Alessi: Yes.
Maxwell's lawyer: And during construction, no one live in its?
Alessi: No, during part of it Mr. Epstein and Ms. Maxwell lived there.
Maxwell's lawyer: You were asked if JANE was driving and you said you never saw Jane driving a car. Those are all questions about Jane, right?
Alessi: I think so.
Maxwell's lawyer: Let's take the break.
Judge Nathan: OK.
Recess
1615GMT
Maxwell's lawyer: I'm asking about what you [Alessi] said --
AUSA: We ask for the whole thing to be read.
Maxwell's lawyer: So you say, Summer, I remember, I was sweating like hell in the car waiting for Ms. Maxwell to come out of the car.
Maxwell's lawyer: Mr. Alessi, didn't you keep a Rolodex of the girls?
Alessi: No, of the massage therapists.
Maxwell's lawyer: You got referrals for massage therapists?
Alessi: No sir.
Maxwell's lawyer: You said, One of Jeffrey Epstein's friends would say, I got a good massage and you'd say, please give me the answer.
Alessi: I never -
Maxwell's lawyer: You previously said this under oath. May I continue your Honor?
Judge Nathan: Yes.
Maxwell's lawyer: Isn't it true that Mr Epstein bought other women to the house and told you to remove the pictures of Ms. Maxwell from the house?
Alessi: I did what he told me to do.
Maxwell's lawyer: Why did you THINK you were taking Ms. Maxwell's picture down, when Mr. Epstein had the other women over?
Alessi: I have no idea.
Maxwell's lawyer: Mr. Alessi, as Mr. Epstein's direction you called women and set up massages, correct?
Alessi: Yes.
Maxwell's lawyer: And that doesn't make you guilty of sex trafficking, does it?
Assistant US Attorney: Objection!
Maxwell's lawyer: And when you cleaned the massage room, you have saw signs of violence, right? No one complained to you of that?
Alessi (voice rising): No but I wish they had, I would have done something.
[Some laughter]
[Programming note, as Alessi ends - some may not believe his statements that he didn't know, or especially the claim near the end of cross examination that if only the victim has complained, he would have acted. Some, it seems, found that laughable. Discretely]
AUSA: No re-direct.
1659GMT
Judge Nathan: Next witness.
It's Gregory Parkinson, questioned by AUSA Maurene Comey. The topic, we believe, will be search of Epstein's home. But first, his credential and career. This could take a while.
Parkinson: I participated in a search in Palm Beach.
AUSA Maurene Comey: What is this?
Parkinson: A map or aerial view.
AUSA: Had you been there before?
Parkinson: Yes, on a report of a theft of currency. I met Mr. Jeffrey Epstein.
Now before it gets into what was found during the search - Judge Nathan calls the lunch break; A/V will set up screens only jurors can see.
1726GMT
Recess
1856GMT
They are showing the jurors a video of the search warrant reading (and execution?) at Epstein's house. But we the Press and public can't see it.
AUSA Maurene Comey: at 1 minute, where are we?
Parkinson: In the 3 car garage
Assistant US Attorney Maurene Comey: What do we see here, during the search?
Officer Parkinson: A picture of Pope John Paul with Jeffrey Epstein.
AUSA Maurene Comey is still telling the jurors to look at one seal exhibit after another, now Government Exhibit 225.
AUSA Maurene Comey: I ask that Government Exhibit 234 be admitted, under seal. Also 241, under seal.
Judge Nathan: Granted. Under seal.
Finally, some exhibits not under seal.
AUSA Comey: What is this, in Exhibit 228?
Parkinson: It's the Garden Room.
There are photos spread out all over the floor, but no details can be made out.
2013GMT
AUSA Comey: I'd like the jurors to look in their binders at Exhibit 255... Oh witness only. I ask that Government Exhibit 278, the master bathroom, be under seal to protect privacy [???]
Judge Nathan: We'll take our break, snacks are here.
[Yes, snacks were cited]
Now even Judge Nathan says US has gone too far in sealing entire 39 minute video, says some portion should be made public.
AUSA Maurene Comey: We'll work on that.
2034GMT
OK, the jurors are back from snacks break.
AUSA Maurene Comey: Let's turn to Government Exhibit 278.
Parkinson: It's a bathroom with a phone and a pink, three cushion couch. And that's a portable inflatable massage table.
We're back to mass-sealing: AUSA Maurene Comey: I ask to admit Government Exhibit 285, under seal, and "direct the jurors' attention to that writing."
Finally: Parkinson comes out of the witness box and touches Government Exhibit 51..."the green massage table."
AUSA Maurene Comey: We offer this [massage table] into evidence. I ask that the exhibit be published for the jury by setting the table up
Parkinson: Now the table is in an open position.
Exhibit 51a: Photo of massage table on its side.
AUSA Comey: Where was it manufactured?
Parkinson: Vista, California.
AUSA Comey: No further questions.
Judge Nathan: Mr. Everdell, you may cross.
Maxwell's lawyer Everdell: You previously investigated a burglary there, correct? Parkinson: True.
Everdell: And Mr. Epstein said that several thousand dollars had been stolen, right?
Parkinson: True.
Everdell is jumping around with his questions, laughing uncomfortably now. He asked Parkinson about an exhibit - sealed - that is Epstein's desk and the photos on it.
And with that, without apparently landing a punch, Everdell's cross examination of Parkinson is over.
Judge Nathan: You may step down, Mr. Parkinson. You are free to take your flight.
New US witness, starting at 4:38pm (2138GMT) on Friday: Michael Dawson, Palm Beach PD
2138GMT
AUSA: What were you looking for, during the search?
Dawson: Massage tables and oil. Sex toys. There were a lot of photos of nude females. We seized a phone book, a massage table, photo of a nude female, a sex toy called the torpedo
[Flashes on screen & is gone]
Now cross examination, starting at 4:49 pm (2149GMT)
Maxwell's lawyer: I'm going to prove up an inconsistent statement.
Judge Nathan: Confer first.
After a time, Maxwell's lawyer: We need a sidebar.
Sidebar
Now the questioning turns to Juan Alessi's admission of stealing from Epstein. But it's 4:59 pm (2159GMT). Cross examination interruptus?
Judge Nathan: We're done for the week. Obey my instructions. Oh and by the way, we will not sit Dec 13, 14 or 15... Why, is not explained. Some letters due Sat & Sunday, both at 8 pm (0100GMT). All rise!
Court Adjourned
[Extra Details c/o Adam Klasfeld]
The government concluded the direct examination of the house manager, Juan Alessi, ended on Thursday. Cross-examination kicks off this morning.
Before Jury Enters
In pre-trial proceedings, the parties have been arguing about the admission of certain evidence — such as schoolgirl costumes found in Jeffrey Epstein's massage room and art sexualizing minors.
This is being debated now because the upcoming witnesses are expected to be Florida law enforcement. Alessi testified yesterday about remembering seeing two girls in Epstein's house who appeared to be minors: "Jane," who testified earlier this week. The other was Virginia Giuffre, whose civil suit against Maxwell helped spark her criminal prosecution.
Submitted into evidence:
Two photos of Virginia Giuffre, whose account of meeting Ghislaine Maxwell at Trump's Mar-a-Lago was recounted by Epstein's ex-house manager Juan Alessi yesterday: https://archive.md/T993z
Epstein's pilot had told jurors: "she didn't look young."
Alessi: "She looked young."
[Side note: Nobody appeared to interrogate this testimony by Epstein ex-pilot, Lawrence Visoski days ago. "[S]he didn't look young. I mean, wherever you decipher is the definition of 'young,' but she -- she was a woman in my category."]
"All rise."
Jury Enters
The witness is on the stand. Pagliuca's cross-examination begins for the defense.
He asks Alessi about testimony that Epstein and Maxwell both called him "John," not "Juan." Alessi agrees that everyone called him John, and he didn't take it as disrespectful. Alessi conceded at the end of direct examination that he stole $6,300 from Epstein, which he returned.
Pagliuca is rattling off what he describes as other alleged thefts.
Alessi replies: "That's not true."
Q: Do you remember telling him that stole money to pay for the girlfriend's immigration papers?
A: First of all, she was not my girlfriend [...] We were not involved.
Q: Is it true that you stole the money, to pay for the immigration papers?
A: Yes.
Alessi concedes that he testified on Sept. 8, 2009 that he stole from Epstein at least twice.
"I guess it was," he said.
Pagliuci moves for the admission of that testimony.
Q: You weren't poor when you went into Mr. Epstein's house in 2003, and you stole the money?
A: I wasn't poor but the money was sequestered because I was going through a divorce.
Pagliuca turns back to Alessi's testimony about Jane.
Q: Isn't it true that you met Jane in 1998 and 2000?
A: That's not true.
Maxwell's lawyer just said Jane's real name and was admonished by Judge Nathan. Pagliuca moves onto Alessi's testimony that Jane would see Epstein and Maxwell without her mother present.
Q: When Mr. Epstein was going to be in the residence, he wanted you and your wife there?
Only us. No contractors in the house.
Pagliuca asks whether he had to be there 24 hours a day on these occasions.
"Yes, it was slavery," Alessi says. Alessi starts to get testy as Pagliuca asks if Epstein liked to show off the Palm Beach property to famous visitors. "I don't know if he liked to show off that property," he snaps.
The dispute is over what he knew Epstein "liked" to do. Alessi says of Epstein: "He had very little contact with me in the later years." Pagliuca calls that inconsistent with his prior testimony that his direct supervisor was "Mr. Epstein."
"He would deal with me directly, and if he was not available, Ms. Maxwell." Pagliuca's questioning turns to the "Household Manual," which has this bullet point under "Grooming & Guest Relations": https://archive.md/E7G1S Part 1: https://archive.md/vRSbp Part 2: https://archive.md/SOqqF
"Remember that you see nothing, hear nothing, say nothing, except to answer a question directed at you. Respect their privacy."
Recess
Cross-examination resumes with questioning about Virginia Roberts (aka Virginia Giuffre).
Alessi testified that he met Virginia at Mar-a-Lago. Alessi says he doesn't know whether Ghislaine Maxwell went in for a treatment or not. Pagliuca says that he previously testified that Maxwell did. On the weather that day Alessi says he met Virginia Roberts at Mar-a-Lago:
Q: You recalled that it was very hot out.
A: I recalled that very much.
They are disputing whether he said the meeting happened in 2001 or 2002.
Pagliuca has been grilling Alessi as to whether his testimony about this encounter changed in subtle ways over the years, e.g. whether Maxwell got a treatment then.
Q: That's when Ms. Maxwell had her treatment, right?
A: I don't know what she had. I'd never seen the treatments.
Alessi on Epstein: "He never shared anything about his personal life with me."
"He never suggested, implied or tell me anything about it."
Alessi agreed after being asked on cross-examination that he said Epstein asked him to take down pictures of Maxwell when other women visited the house.
Q: Why did you think he told you to take her pictures down?
A: I had no idea, sir.
Pagliuca asks if a number of foreign people visited the house, including people with accents. Alessi agrees.
A: "English accents. French accents. Italian accents."
Q: Lots of different accents?
Alessi answers in the affirmative.
Pagliuca asks Alessi whether he ever arranged professional massages for Epstein at The Breakers at Palm Beach. After Pagliuca asks whether these arrangements made Alessi a sex trafficker, the prosecutor objects.
Sustained. (Context: Those massages in question were professional messages from a Palm Beach spa.)
Pagliuca asks whether he ever heard someone looking afraid, screaming or in distress. "No, sir. Never."
The lawyer asks if he ever saw any signs that anyone was hurt or injured during these massages. He replies no.
Pagliuca asks if anyone ever complained to him. "I wish they would have," he says, "because I would have done something to stop it." But the witness says no, nobody ever complained.
Q: When you were working for Mr. Epstein, you didn't have any doubt that the girls were provided for massages were not of proper age, correct?
Prosecutor: I'm going to object to form.
Judge: Sustained.
Asked whether he believed the people sent to perform sessions on Epstein were "of age," Alessi responds: "I believed so."
Cross examination concludes. No redirect. Alessi steps down.
The government calls their next witness: Gregory Parkinson, a crime scene investigator. "Good afternoon, Mr. Parkinson," AUSA says, a few minutes before noon. "Good afternoon," Parkinson replies, as the morning ends. Now retired, Parkinson worked as a crime scene manager with the Palm Beach Police Department.
The government introduces a map of Palm Beach with a red dot that the witness identifies as the El Brillo property. Parkinson gives jurors the lay of the land. Testimony turns to Parkinson's visit to Epstein's property, 358 El Brillo Way.
Parkinson describes his search of Epstein's Palm Beach property on Oct. 20, 2005. He says he went into the:
Parkinson says that evidence was transferred to the FBI in 2006. Parkinson describes a photo submitted into evidence: Epstein's kitchen. Next photo: Another view of the same room.
1726GMT
Recess
1855GMT
The afternoon session begins:
Parkinson is viewing and being questioned about a video of a walk-through of Epstein's Palm Beach residence. Parkinson describes a photograph of Pope John Paul with Jeffrey Epstein.
Parkinson: "That is a picture of Fidel Castro with Jeffrey Epstein."
The video, which the press and public cannot see, turns to the second floor of Epstein's Palm Beach residence.
[Deleted a tweet with a generalized description of the photos and art that prosecutors said authorities found in Epstein's house. Instead, I'm sharing my colleague's story that has this in greater detail. https://archive.md/V4caF ]
The witness just concluded a viewing of the walkthrough video. The prosecutor instructs the witness to view three exhibits. AUSA is leading the witness through photographs, which are being openly displayed.
Witness on one of them: "This is a view from the garden room, standing at the [...] southeast, looking at the northwest." (Jurors are being asked to privately view another exhibit.)
2003GMT
Mid-afternoon recess.
Service advisory: Much of this testimony is visual, including of sealed exhibits that are not available to the press and public. Live-tweets will be sporadic.
Judge Nathan on the video: "I don't see why a public version can't be made," in redacted form, to protect the privacy of "a few individuals."
Maxwell's lawyer Bobbi Sternheim tells the judge that sealing the roughly 40-minute video conveys a public impression that the house was a "domicile of debauchery." Only a couple of images in the video were at issue, she said.
2055GMT
Court is back in session after a long recess. Jurors are examining various photographs of Epstein's residence. Some are sealed.
Epstein's actual green massage table was brought into the courtroom and shown to the jury.
A corresponding photograph of the sticker underneath it shows it was Made in the USA.
Cross-examination—Maxwell's counsel asks Parkinson of his knowledge of the defendant.
Q: You don't know who Ghislaine Maxwell is?
A: I do not.
Parkinson's testimony concludes, and the witness is excused.
Testifying now is Michael Dawson, who was one of the detectives who searched Epstein's residence. He said they were looking for the massage table, sex toys, correspondence and other materials. Dawson introduces a photograph of Epstein's sex toys into evidence. Brand name: The "Twin Torpedos."
Judge Nathan: "We're done for the night."
She is prompt about stopping proceedings at 5 p.m. (2200GMT). Noting this is their first weekend apart, the judge urges the jury not to discuss or research the case over the break.
Court Adjourned
We appreciate your hard work in posting these, dem6nic.