Thread by @ajdukakis

Ghislaine Maxwell asked a federal appeals court Thursday for release from jail, where she has been kept under “conditions fitting for Hannibal Lechter.”

UPDATE: ICYMI, in a letter to the court from the government filed Monday w/an "update regarding the
defendant’s conditions of confinement at [MDC]" Footnote 2 alledges MDC staff directed Maxwell "to clean her cell because it had become very dirty."

"Among other things, MDC staff noted that the defendant frequently did not flush her toilet after using it, which
caused the cell to smell. In addition, the defendant had not cleaned her cell in some time, causing the cell to become increasingly dirty..."

cont "MDC staff directed the defendant to clean her cell in
response to the smell and the dirtiness, not as retaliation for complaining about a particular search."

NOW, in a new letter to court from Ghislaine Maxwell's defense responding to the feds' 4/6 letter, an atty for Maxwell writes "the [gov't's] letter provides the opportunity to flush out the persistent unsanitary conditions at the MDC, which long predate Ms. Maxwell's detention"

"This past weekend there was a pervasive stench of sewage in Ms. Maxwell’s unit necessitating guards to flush pipes by pouring water down open drains in an effort to trap and disperse gaseous emissions. As guards
explained to Ms. Maxwell, there are three drains in the day area.."

"...and when the plumbing system goes unused, gases escape from the drains and cause the stench. At times the stench in Ms.Maxwell’s isolation cell has been overwhelming due to overflowing of toilets in the cellblock
above..."

"...Due to lack of privacy, Ms. Maxwell refrains from using the toilet in the isolation cell and, as directed by the guards, she flushes frequently to avoid plumbing problems. At times, the stench is apparent upon entering the visiting area..."

"...Of the many defense counsel who visit regularly, I challenge the government to identify anyone that would risk their health by drinking the tap water. Even the guards resort to drinking bottled water...."

"Blaming Ms. Maxwell for the filth of her severely restricted environment is utterly misplaced. To suggest she willingly lives in squalor is absurd. In an effort to wield power, the guards use cleaning as a punishment...."

"...The MDC - especially the East Building where Ms.
Maxwell is held– is permeated with mold and vermin. Cockroaches and rodents are plentiful and
glue tracks have been placed in Ms. Maxwell’s day area to help remediate the problem..."

"....While HEPA filters may improve the safety of the legal visiting rooms – characterized by an HVAC inspector as 'a death trap' – in-person visiting with Ms. Maxwell is uncomfortable and unproductive..."

"....Relegated to a small 'fishbowl' where chairs abut glass walls and a table, with no room in between, Ms. Maxwell and counsel are forced to wedge their bodies into chairs.
There is no opportunity to view electronic discovery or exchange documents; .."

"...; and speaking while wearing a face mask while crammed on either side of a plexiglass divider under surveillance of three guards and a handheld camera places a chill on any free exchange of confidential
information..."

"....While video conferencing has facilitated on-going communication between Ms. Maxwell and counsel, her request for a legal call to confer with counsel regarding pretrial motions was denied."

Ghislaine Maxwell's defense goes on to again tell the judge that "Ms. Maxwell’s health is deteriorating": "She has not experienced sunshine and fresh air for
the past eight months...."

"...Referring to an interior gated pen where Ms. Maxwell can exercise (and be subjected to even more searches) as the 'outside' is a misnomer. Barely a breeze permeates
that area."