Just when we think we’re finally seeing a bit of justice being served in this nation, the United States “Justice” System comes around to screw us yet again.
Ghislaine Maxwell, the British socialite and notorious former girlfriend and accomplice to the now-deceased child molester Jeffrey Epstein, was finally found guilty on five of the six federal charges she faced in connection to Epstein’s massive child sex trafficking ring, after months of trials and deliberation — sex trafficking of a minor, transporting a minor with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity and three related counts of conspiracy.
And now all of that progress and justice may soon be lost again, thanks to the technicality of the American justice system.
According to a new report, one of the jurors who was involved with Maxwell’s case has gone public and admitted that they suffered their own sexual abuse as a child, which could result in Ghislaine having the ability to file for a mistrial in her case.
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Scotty David — an alleged juror on Maxwell’s recent trial who opted to go public with only his first and middle name — has spoken with the media for the very first time and revealed that his past experience of sexual abuse when he was a child made him very sympathetic to the four individuals who went public as Maxwell/Epstein victims and testified against the British socialite during her trial. He claims he also shared his experience of sexual abuse as a minor with his fellow jurors.
Speaking with Law360 reporter Lucia Osborne-Crowley, Scotty David said, “I know what happened when I was sexually abused. I remember the color of the carpet, the walls. Some of it can be replayed like a video. But I can’t remember all the details, there are some things that run together.”
Scotty told the jury that he, like Maxwell’s accusers, didn’t open up about his experience of abuse until much later in life, “I didn’t disclose my abuse until I was in high school.”
The Independent reports, “David believes this helped the jury understand that it’s possible that these women were telling the truth.”
Speaking on Maxwell’s recent guilty verdict, Scotty David said, “This verdict is for all the victims. For those who testified, for those who came forward, and for those who haven’t come forward. I’m glad that Maxwell has been held accountable. This verdict shows that you can be found guilty no matter your status.”
Our hearts go out to the juror and we stand in solidarity with him for breaking his silence to help break the stigma around sexual abuse and assault. However, David’s story stands to cause a serious issue specifically pertaining to the Ghislaine Maxwell trial, if it turns out that he did not disclose his past experience of sexual abuse on the jury questionnaire.
According to The Independent, the questionnaire asked jurors, “Have you or a friend or family member ever been the victim of sexual harassment, sexual abuse, or sexual assault?” Following that question, the form asked, “If yes, do you believe that this would affect your ability to serve fairly and impartially as a juror in this case?”
Former New York federal prosecutor Moira Penza said David’s past “could definitely be an issue.”
“I certainly hope the juror disclosed this fully on his questionnaire. A little strange the defense didn’t strike him,” Penza said, speaking to The Telegraph. “In the first instance, it would likely form the basis for a motion to Judge (Alison) Nathan for a new trial.”
Directly following the guilty verdict, Ghislaine’s legal team was quick to vow to appeal and if things weren’t handled directly by the book, this monster and her lawyers may have just found all the ammo they need.
Read the full report from Radar Online here.
Featured image via screen capture
