Question
How long did the jury deliberate at Ghislaine Maxwell’s trial?
Answer
The jury in Ghislaine Maxwell’s federal trial deliberated for approximately five days before returning its verdict. The trial lasted about five weeks, from November 29 to December 29, 2021.
Deliberations began on December 20, 2021 and the jury requested additional time due to the complexity of the case and the volume of evidence — including extensive documentary and testimonial evidence covering conduct spanning more than a decade.
On December 29, 2021, the jury returned a verdict of guilty on five of the six counts charged:
- Guilty: Conspiracy to entice minors to travel to engage in illegal sex acts
- Guilty: Enticement of a minor to travel to engage in illegal sex acts
- Guilty: Conspiracy to transport minors with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity
- Guilty: Transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity
- Guilty: Sex trafficking of a minor
- Not guilty: Enticing minor to travel — one specific count
The five-day deliberation reflected the jury’s careful weighing of a large evidentiary record rather than a quick or obvious verdict. Legal analysts noted that the guilty verdict on the sex trafficking count — the most serious charge — was the most significant outcome.
The deliberation length was also later involved in the post-verdict controversy when juror Scotty David disclosed that he had discussed his own sexual abuse history during deliberations, leading to Maxwell’s appeal.
Sources
- SDNY court records, U.S. v. Maxwell
- Trial reporting, December 2021
- Second Circuit records on juror controversy appeal