Ghislaine Maxwell has been found guilty of sex trafficking young girls to be abused by Jeffrey Epstein. The verdict followed a month-long trail that featured the testimony from four women who stated they were abused by Epstein between 1994 and 2004. Maxwell was found guilty on five of six charges for her instrumental role in Epstein’s crimes. During the trial, prosecutors highlighted that Maxwell 'preyed on vulnerable young girls, manipulated them and served them up to be sexually abused.'
In the midst of the guilty verdict, Epstein’s victims have shared their reactions to the outcome of the trial. ‘I am so relieved and grateful that the jury recognised the pattern of predatory behavior that Maxwell engaged in for years and found her guilty,' said Annie Farmer, one of the victims who testified against Maxwell.
She continued, 'She has caused hurt to many more women than the few of us who had the chance to testify in the courtroom. I hope that this verdict brings solace to all who need it and demonstrates that no one is above the law.'
Annie Farmer, one of four accusers in this case, revealed that Maxwell gave her a nude massage at Epstein’s estate when she was just 16. She met Epstein through her sister Maria, who worked for him at the time as a painter and aspiring artist.
ANNIE AND I ARE SOBBING WITH JOY!!! Maria Farmer tweeted after the guilty verdict was announced.
Virginia Giuffre, is also one of Epstein victims, and has been very outspoken about this case and many others. She has also accused Maxwell of taking on an instrumental role in the abuse she suffered at the hands of Epstein.
'What Ghislaine did to so many of us is unforgivable,' Giuffre said to The Cut. when asked about Maxwell. 'She used that charm, that wit, that smile to come off as somebody you want to trust.'
She admitted the verdict was 'a bittersweet emotion because I have been fighting for so long.'
'Justice to me looks like holding all of these people involved in the sex ring, those who greased its wheels, named and shamed,' she continued. 'I’m sick of carrying around that shame. That shame doesn’t belong to me.'
Giuffre took to Twitter to share some more thoughts, she tweeted, 'My soul yearned for justice for years and today the jury gave me just that. I hope that today is not the end but rather another step in justice being served. Maxwell did not act alone. Others must be held accountable. I have faith that they will be.'
Although Giuffre did not testify at Maxwell’s trial, she has always spoken widely about her experience and claimed both Maxwell and Epstein groomed her.
Giuffre is currently suing Prince Andrew in a civil lawsuit, claiming he had sex with her on three separate occasions. She was only 17 at the time. Prince Andrew continues to vehemently deny the claims and is currently seeking to get the case thrown out.
The attorneys representing many more of Epstein's victims also praised the guilty verdict. Robert Glassman, who is the attorney for an Epstein accuser using the pseudonym “Jane” said, ‘The verdict screams loud and clear – if you make it easier for another to sexually abuse children, you, too, will be held accountable for your role in that abuse.’
'The strong women survivors of Ghislaine Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse can all sleep better tonight knowing that the justice system got it right.'
'The jury stayed focused on what really mattered, Ms. Maxwell played a critical role in helping Jeffrey Epstein sexually abuse girls,' he said in a statement.
Lisa Bloom, represents another eight of Epstein’s victims, said she and her clients were overjoyed with the outcome. She expressed, 'My clients and I were moved to tears that this day has finally come.'
'She got to walk free on this earth for 60 years,' Bloom added. 'May she never walk free again.'
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