The federal judge presiding over Ghislaine Maxwell's sex trafficking trial has questioned whether one of the British socialite's accusers could actually be considered a 'victim' in the case, just days before legal proceedings are set to begin.
Prosecutors were presented with a potential legal setback over the weekend after Judge Alison Nathan said she was not satisfied with their letter opposing Maxwell's motion to exclude evidence from 'Minor Victim 3.'
Maxwell appeared at a pretrial hearing in federal court last Monday where Nathan asked prosecutors to explain if one accuser's allegations could be used 'for any legal purpose' in the case.
In a court order filed in New York on Saturday, Nathan wrote that the prosecution's submitted letter did 'not address this issue.'
Ghislaine Maxwell appeared at a pretrial hearing in federal court last Monday (pictured) where Judge Alison Nathan asked prosecutors to explain if one of the British socialite's accusers could be used 'for any legal purpose' in the case
In a court order filed in New York on Saturday, Nathan ruled the prosecution's submitted letter 'does not address this issue
The ruling raises the prospect that testimony from Minor Victim 3, who was allegedly groomed for pedophile Jeffrey Epstein in London when she was 16, could potentially end up excluded from the trial.
It comes just days after jury selection kicked off, with opening statements due to take place on November 29.
Such a development so close to the start of the trial could also be a significant boost to Maxwell.
The British socialite, 59, denies recruiting and trafficking underage girls for Epstein to abuse between 1994 and 1997.
There are four accusers mentioned in the indictment, identified only as Minor Victims 1-4.
Minor Victim 3 is understood to be British. Her identity has not been publicly revealed.
'At the November 1, 2021 conference, the Court asked the Government to provide its position as to whether Alleged 'Victim-3' could be considered a 'victim' of the crimes charged in the indictment for any legal purpose,' Judge Nathan wrote in the filing.
'The Government's supplemental letter does not address this issue,' she added.
The judge acknowledged that the court's request 'may have been unclear' before giving prosecutors another chance to file a supplemental letter responsive 'on or before' 12pm Sunday
Maxwell, 59, who is accused of procuring underage girls for pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, has pleaded not guilty to all charges
Nathan acknowledged that the court's request 'may have been unclear' before giving prosecutors another chance to file a supplemental letter responsive to the
