Ghislaine Maxwell juror was abuse victim: Convicted sex trafficker could claim a mistrial after news emerges about member of panel that found her guilty
- Ghislaine Maxwell could lodge claim of mistrial as a juror who convicted her was victim of child sex abuse
- Scotty David said he helped other members of jury understand things from victim’s point of view
- But legal experts said Maxwell may have grounds to claim mistrial if he did not disclose past experiences before jury deliberations
Ghislaine Maxwell could lodge a claim of mistrial after it emerged one of the jurors who convicted her was a victim of child sex abuse.
Scotty David said he had helped the other members of the jury understand things from a victim’s point of view.
He also claimed the five guilty verdicts returned last week, possibly condemning Maxwell to spend the rest of her life behind bars, were for ‘all the victims’.
But legal experts said if he did not disclose his past experiences before the jury deliberations, Maxwell could have grounds to claim a mistrial and have her convictions quashed.
Moira Penza, a former federal prosecutor in New York, said: ‘I certainly hope the juror disclosed this fully on his questionnaire.
Scotty David said he had helped the other members of the jury understand things from a victim’s point of view. Pictured: A sketch of Ghislaine Maxwell in court at her trial in New York
‘A little strange the defence didn’t strike him. It could definitely be an issue.
‘In the first instance it would likely form the basis for a motion to Judge [Alison] Nathan for a new trial.’
The jury took 40 hours to reach their decision and convict Maxwell on five of the six counts against her.
She is facing up to 65 years in jail.
She was convicted of trafficking young girls to be abused by her paedophile boyfriend Jeffrey Epstein.
Mr David told the Independent: ‘I’m glad Maxwell has been held accountable.’
The jury took 40 hours to reach their decision and convict Maxwell on five of the six counts against her. Pictured: Maxwell in 2013 (file image)
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