The lawyers representing Ghislaine Maxwell, the British socialite accused of recruiting teenage girls for financier Jeffery Epstein for sexual abuse, wrote a motion to the federal judge assigned to the case to ask that they be released in ‘ the general population of the Metropolitan Detention Center so that it can “significantly” participate in its own defense. “
The letter, received by Fox News, claims that Maxwell was “treated less favorably than a typical reader”, which they assume is the result of Jeffery Epstein’s “apparent suicide attempt” in July 2019. The letter also claims that Maxwell was “Subject to suicide guard protocols” which include “waking up every few hours at night and being forced to wear special clothing.”
The lawyers indicate that her client was never at risk for suicide, but was kept out of the general population for 36 days.
Maxwell has been in custody for more than a month and is being ‘kept under unique precious circumstances’, the letter reads. She is examined 24 hours a day by security cameras seen by both “multiple prison guards, many of whom do not appear to be regular MDC personnel.”
“These prison guards are constantly observing Ms. Maxwell and taking notes on her about every activity, including her phone calls with Defense Adviser,” the letter read. They allege that the conditions in prison infringe on Maxwell’s Sixth Amendment Act to participate in their own defense.
The Justice Department did not immediately respond to a Fox News e-mail.
Maxwell has been charged with six counts of sexually abusing minors between 1994 and 1997. She pleaded not guilty and the trial is scheduled to begin in July 2021. Her lawyer currently called the charge “deserved.”
A trove of documents released a few weeks ago appears to have kept in touch with Epstein longer than previously believed. She claimed at a bail hearing that she had not been in contact with Epstein for more than a decade.
But Epstein emailed her what looked like a statement in January 2015, which was apparently ready for her to use when asked about her relationship, according to the documents.
At one point, Epstein wrote, “You did nothing wrong and I (would) urge you to start like that.” He suggested that she go outside and keep her head high, “not as an (escape) convict.”
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The motion also seeks the identities of three suspected victims so that they can better prepare the defense.
Her attorneys close the letter to Jude Alison J. Nathan, the federal judge in New York, saying she is not seeking special treatment for her client, but “she does request that she not be particularly unfavorable” to her lawsuit.
The Associated Press contributed to this report
