Maxwell trial opening statements, Smollett trial jury selection begin

On the same day jury selection began in the trial of former “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett, opening statements began Monday in the sex trafficking trial of longtime Jeffrey Epstein companion Ghislaine Maxwell. The video above shows the scenes inside and outside the courtrooms of both trials. The beginning of Maxwell’s trial comes over two years after Epstein committed suicide while in jail awaiting his own sex trafficking trial.

Maxwell is accused of recruiting and grooming young girls for Epstein to abuse at his homes, including his estate in Palm Beach, Florida, his posh Manhattan townhouse and at other residences in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and London. Four women say Maxwell and Epstein victimized them as teens between 1994 to 2004.

Twelve jurors and six alternates were selected to serve on the jury Monday. They were picked from a pool of 40 to 60 potential jurors who made it through initial questioning.

Maxwell has denied the claims against her, calling them “absolute rubbish.” Maxwell’s lawyers and family say she was Epstein’s pawn, and she is now paying “a blood price” to satisfy public desire to see someone held accountable for his crimes.

Last month, fellow Epstein associate Prince Andrew was cleared of charges related to a sexual assault allegation against him. Virginia Giuffre claims she was trafficked by Epstein to have sex with Andrew in London in 2001 when she was 17 and a minor under U.S. law. Andrew claims he has never had sex with Giuffre.

As Maxwell is in court in New York City, Smollett arrived at court in Chicago Monday morning. He is accused of lying to police about an alleged racist and homophobic attack against him and has been charged with felony disorderly conduct. Smollett is Black and gay.

Two brothers who worked with Smollett on “Empire” stand at the center of the prosecution’s case once a jury is selected. Abimbola and Olabinjo Osundairo have told police and prosecutors that Smollett paid them $3,500 to pose as his attackers, and carry out the attack at his behest.

It is currently unclear if Smollett will take the stand in his own trial. His charge carries a sentence of up to three years in prison. However, experts have said it is more likely that Smollett would be placed on probation and perhaps ordered to perform community service if he is convicted.

The city of Chicago, citing extensive costs associated with investigating the allegedly fake crime, has also brought a civil suit against Smollett to recover costs, damages and fees. The civil case was moved from local court into federal district court in 2019 because Smollett is a resident of California and not Illinois. The civil litigation has been stayed pending the criminal trial, according to a Chicago official.