New York (AP) — After hearing the bail debate, an appeals judge told British social circle Ghislaine Maxwell not to die in prison as Jeffrey Epstein did while waiting for a sex trafficking trial. Claims to have been unfairly awakened by security guards.
Two of the three judges on Manhattan’s Second U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals panel shine a light on her cell every 15 minutes as federal prison guards check her breathing. He expressed concern about that.
However, they did not necessarily appear to tend to release Maxwell, 59. Bail before July 12th trial About charges She procured a teenage girl for Epstein to sexually abuse and sometimes participated in the abuse. She pleaded not guilty.Bail Rejected 3 times Since her arrest in July last year.
“Is she at risk of suicide?” Circuit Judge Richard J. Sullivan asked Lara Pomeranz, assistant prosecutor. “Did the BOP conclude that she was at risk of suicide, or is it some other reason they were shining all night?”
Pomeranz said routine guards were hired to make sure the prisoners were breathing. She said the guards were shining light on the ceiling above where Maxwell was sleeping, not in her eyes, when checking her breathing.
Her comments were challenged by Circuit Judge Pierre N. Leval, who repeatedly asked if Maxwell poses a risk of suicide.
“Is there a routine that sheds light on all prisoners’ eyes every 15 minutes at night? Do you really say that?” He asked.
“In your honor, I can’t tell you what’s going on for every prisoner, but what I can say is that she’s not said to be at risk of suicide. That’s it, “Pomeranz replied.
David Marcus, a lawyer representing Maxwell at the appeals court, said she was not suicide.
“There is no evidence that she is committing suicide. Why is the prison office doing this? They are doing it because Jeffrey Epstein died on the watch. Again, she It’s not Jeffrey Epstein. This isn’t right, “Marcus said.
Epstein committed suicide in a Manhattan lockup in August 2019 while awaiting trial.
“One of the main complaints of the defendant’s briefing is that she is not at risk of suicide in a way that makes her life hell, does not allow her to sleep, and makes it very difficult for her to prepare. It’s being treated properly, “Reval said.
Defendant lawyer complains Maxwell is getting worse in prison, where she is repeatedly searched and filmed outside the cell. Prosecutors argue that she remains healthy and is given accommodation that other prisoners lack.
The judge also seemed concerned that Maxwell was not allowed to wear an eye mask that tightly wrapped her head.
According to Marcus, Maxwell puts socks or towels on his eyes to sleep at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn.
“The government used the word routine to say how Maxwell was treated at the MDC. There is absolutely no routine about it. She has ever been any other prisoner at the facility. It is treated differently, “he said.