Thread by @KlasfeldReports

Good morning from New York.

A rush of new photographs of Ghislaine Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein were just made public. They were introduced into evidence yesterday during testimony of images recovered from the 2019 raid on Epstein's NY home.

Live feed ahead, @LawCrimeNews.

Judge Nathan is about to rule on her limiting instruction as to Ghislaine Maxwell's last accuser, who says that Epstein made sexual contact with her in New Mexico.

The judge will tell jurors that was “not ‘illegal sexual activity’ as the government charged in the indictment.”

This is a less sweeping instruction than provided for the accuser known as "Kate," whom the judge told the jury was not a victim of the crimes charged.

Unlike "Kate," the judge says: "This is an alleged victim of the crimes charged in the indictment."

"Kate" was 17 at the the time, above the age of consent in the relevant jurisdictions.

This witness, Annie, was 16 at the time—the age of consent in New Mexico, but prosecutors say she was groomed in other jurisdictions.

The government wants to call a witness to authenticate records at Mar-a-Lago related to Virginia Roberts (now known as Virginia Giuffre).

Maxwell's defense is trying to keep it out.

Judge Nathan just said that they are waiting for a juror who encountered substantial train delay issues today.

(Anecdotal corroboration: NYC subways were something of a mess last night and this morning.)

The jury is in and trial has begun for the day.

First witness: a human resources staffer at Mar-a-Lago, who has worked there for almost 15 years.

The prosecutor is asking about personnel action notices, before turning the witness's attention to a binder of that evidence.

The jury is viewing the Personnel Action Notice for Sky Roberts.

Dated April 11, 2000, the notice turns the attention to the field "father of child."

(Not displayed but previously known: He's the father of Virginia Roberts, now known as Virginia Giuffre.)

The next witness is testifying under the name Shawn.

Shawn testifies that she was 14 when he first started dating Carolyn.

He was 17.

"She only had two jobs ever. She worked at Arby's, and she worked for Jeffrey [Epstein]," he says.

He corroborates Carolyn's account of an introduction through Virginia Roberts.

Shawn says he was present when Roberts told Carolyn she could make money by giving Epstein massages.

Asked Carolyn's response, Shawn says: "She was excited to make money."

Q: What's the difference between Palm Beach and West Palm Beach?
A: Money is no object out there.

(Objection)
(Sustained)

Q: Did you ever go inside Jeffrey Epstein's home?
A: No, ma'am.

But he says he saw it from the outside.

Shawn recalls Carolyn mentioning the woman's name "Maxwell."

Just like Carolyn said yesterday, he says she couldn't pronounce her first name.

Q: How did you know Amanda and Melissa? (Note: He doesn't spell the names, which may vary.)

Shawn says he was dating them at the same time he was dating Carolyn.

Shawn testifies that he saw Carolyn and Melissa enter Epstein's house and return with money in $100 bills.

Shawn acknowledges that he was using drugs at the time and was arrested for methamphetamine and being a convicted felon in possession of a weapon.

Perhaps anticipating cross-examination, prosecutor elicits that testimony at the end of her questioning.

I'll revisit cross-examination later. I had to turn my attention.

Next witness: Nicole Hesse, a teacher who works with young children.

She says she worked at Jeffrey Epstein's Palm Beach house. She refers to it as the Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell home.

Maxwell and Epstein weren't home when she was there, Hesse says.

She appears to be called to authenticate messages on message pads.

Q: Is your signature on all three of those books?
A: Yes, it is?

She said that she would jot down the time when people called and leaving messages.

Prosecutor moves to enter exhibits into evidence, including sealed exhibits.

Maxwell's lawyer objects on hearsay grounds for certain exhibits.

15 minute recess to sort this out.

We're back, and the government is introducing exhibits about three of the messages Hesse is being asked to authenticate.

Q: What's the date of that message?
A: 8/12/04

It's a message from Carolyn, the witness says.

(The same first name as one of Maxwell's accusers.)

Maxwell's lawyer is now cross examining the witness.

Asked about her knowledge about women visiting Epstein home, she answers: "Yes, that there were women who came for massages."

She adds that she was "not there to see it."

Hesse is asked about messages for Mr. "JE."

Other messages state "Jeffrey," "Sarah," and Mr. "JE," the witness confirms.

If you're looking for analysis of the first week of Ghislaine Maxwell's sex trafficking trial by an ex-federal prosecutor, @MitchellEpner shares his thoughts on my @LawCrimeNetwork podcast "Objections."

lawandcrime.com/live-trials/gh…

Next witness: David Rodgers, the "chief pilot" for Jeffrey Epstein for more than a decade.

Hired July 1991.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Maurene Comey, the daughter of ex-FBI director James Comey.

Rodgers hired Larry Visoski, whose testimony you can catch up on here. lawandcrime.com/live-trials/gh…

Just like Visoski testified, Rodgers says of Maxwell: "She would be No. 2" — just under Epstein.

Asked about the nature of Epstein and Maxwell's relationship:

"Early on, they were romantically involved," Rodgers testifies, adding that later, they weren't.

Rodgers' testimony turns to the passenger manifest.

He says he also kept a personal logbook.

Q: What's a log book?
A: "It just shows you the day you flew, the destination you went to," the time, etc.

The government enters a sealed and a public version of an exhibit, with the sealing to protect witnesses.

Rodgers describes flights to Teterboro, N.J., which he presumed to be a stop for Epstein to go to his Manhattan townhouse.

The witness said that Epstein, Maxwell and two other passengers—whose names aren't disclosed publicly—were on this flight.

Rodgers is testifying about flights to Traverse City, Mich., the closest airport to the Interlochen academy.

That's where "Jane" says she met Maxwell and Epstein. The witness recalls traveling there between 1991 to 1998.

ICYMI: lawandcrime.com/live-trials/gh…

Lunch recess.

Service advisory:

Because I'll be physically in the courtroom this afternoon, I will not be live-tweeting those proceedings, but I'll continue to report on them.

So will dozens of hard-working reporters from around the world.

There are other areas of the courthouse where proceedings have been streamed and credentialed reporters can live-tweet.

The judge has made a point to note that there are regularly seats available inside the court's overflow rooms to observe the public trial.

On an afternoon recess:

Epstein's ex-chief pilot Rodgers remains on the stand and is now being questioned by Maxwell's attorney.

Like Epstein's other pilot Visoski, Rodgers insists he never saw sexual activity on the planes or anyone who appeared to be unaccompanied minors.

Drawing from his log book, Rodgers recalled Virginia Roberts on the plane about 32 times.

"Jane" several times, too, including on flights to the airport closest to Interlochen — the academy where "Jane" says she met Epstein and Maxwell.

Heading back to court—

Will return later.

Returning to a key moment during cross-examination from yesterday:

Maxwell's defense has been trying to sow doubt as to whether the "Jane" recorded in the flight log was mistaken for someone else who shared her same true first name.

The witness contradicted that defense.

The pilot testified that he met the other person who shared "Jane" real first name in 2003.

"So it couldn't have been her," Rodgers said.

It flatly contradicted a Maxwell defense talking point. It was elicited on cross, and it corroborates the account of a key accuser.