A federal judge has denied Ghislaine Maxwell's request for jury selection to be held in private ahead of her upcoming trial next month.
Attorneys for the British socialite appeared in court on Thursday afternoon to argue against a traditional jury selection process, claiming it wouldn't do enough to detect potential bias and prejudice.
The defense claimed prospective jurors would be less likely to 'respond openly and honestly in open court' due to the 'sensitive' nature of the case and the 'negative' publicity surrounding Maxwell.
'This case amplifies the likelihood that jurors will be more apprehensive and constrained to respond openly and honestly in open court within earshot of other jurors, members of the public, and the media,' attorney Bobbi Sternheim said in court filings last week.
The lawyer said jurors should instead be questioned individually and privately to ensure an 'open-minded jury' and a fair trial.
Prosecutors opposed the request in papers filed last week, claiming Maxwell's team provided 'no persuasive reason' to deviate from the traditional selection process.
Maxwell's attorneys also don't want any reference to any 'alleged rape by Jeffrey Epstein' at the trial. He died in jail in 2019
Maxwell is in custody in Brooklyn awaiting trial. Opening statements are scheduled to begin on November 29.
Earlier this week her legal team asked for the women who claim they were abused by her to be referred to as accusers instead of victims.
In court filings on Tuesday, her lawyers also asked for all evidence that was seized from Jeffrey Epstein's Palm Beach house to also be excluded from her trial.
Maxwell denies charges of sex trafficking multiple girls for Epstein, the disgraced late pedophile who hanged himself in jail in 2019 while awaiting his own trial.
The new court filings listed all of the