The sex trafficking trial of Jeffrey Epstein accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell was unexpectedly paused Thursday morning. U.S. District Judge Alison Nathan told the jury one of the attorneys fell “ill and has to get care.” The attorney has not been identified. Nathan said there was no reason to believe the illness was related to COVID-19.
Jurors heard only one witness before the Maxwell trial was paused. That witness verified that overnight packages were sent by Epstein to women in December 2002. A lengthy sidebar followed before jurors were sent home with the expectation of returning Friday to resume hearing testimony. After they were excused, a spokesperson for prosecutors said the office will provide an update as to when the trial will resume.
The trial was paused just as the prosecution was wrapping up its case against Maxwell. There have been three women who have testified in the past two weeks about alleged sexual abuse by Epstein the accusers say was aided by Maxwell. Prosecutors are expected to call one more accuser, and could’ve rested as early as Thursday had an attorney not gotten sick. Nathan had suggested closing arguments might happen on Dec. 20 if the defense’s case next week only lasts a day or two.
