Text extracted via OCR from the original document. May contain errors from the scanning process.
x
v.
Defendant.
x
20 Cr. 330 (AJN)
'S MOTION FOR A NEW TRIAL
Jeffrey S. Pagliuca
Laura A. Menninger
Christian R. Everdell
Bobbi C. Sternheim
Law Offices of Bobbi C. Sternheim
Attorneys for Chislaine Maxwell
EFTA00155901
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
ii
Table of Authorities
iv
Introduction
1
Factual Background
2
I.
Jury Selection.
2
A. The jury questionnaire.
2
B. Juror No. 50's questionnaire.
5
C. Juror No. 50's voir dire
6
D. The final composition of the jury.
9
II.
Juror No. 50's admissions that he wasn't truthful with the Court
11
A. Juror No. 50's statements to the media.
12
1.
The interview with the Independent.
12
2.
The interview with the Daily Mail.
13
3.
The interview with Reuters
14
4.
The partial video of the interview with the Daily Mail.
14
B. Juror No. 50's social media activity.
15
C. A second juror admits to disclosing during deliberations that they were a victim of
sexual assault.
21
Applicable Law
21
I.
Juror No. 50's misconduct deprived Ms. Maxwell of her constitutional right to a fair
trial by an impartial jury.
21
A. A party alleging unfairness based on undisclosed juror bias must demonstrate first,
that the juror's voir dire response was false and second, that the correct response
would have provided a valid basis for a challenge for cause.
21
ii
EFTA00155902
B. An intentionally false answer during voir dire is not a prerequisite to obtaining a
new trial.
23
Argument
28
I.
Ms. Maxwell is entitled to a new trial.
28
A. Juror No. 50 did not truthfully answer material questions during voir dire,
including Questions 25 and 48
28
B. Had Juror No. 50 answered Questions 25 and 48 truthfully, his answers would
have provided a valid basis for a challenge for cause.
29
1.
Implied bias.
30
2.
Inferable bias.
37
3.
Actual bias.
38
C. Juror No. 50's answers to Questions 25 and 48 were intentionally false.
39
D. Had Juror No. 50 answered Questions 25 and 48 truthfully, the parties and the
Court would have explored whether his other answers were false
43
E. The scope of any evidentiary hearing.
48
1.
Pre-hearing discovery.
48
2.
The hearing itself.
49
II.
Juror No. 50 has no right to intervene.
51
A. Juror No. 50 lacks standing
51
B. This Court should refuse Juror No. 50's discovery request because Juror No. 50 is
under investigation and the release of the information requested would prejudice
that investigation
52
C. Juror No. 50's filings should be stricken or, alternatively, remain under seal.
53
Conclusion
56
Certificate of Service
59
iii
EFTA00155903
Table of Authorities
Cases
Adams v. Texas, 448 U.S. 38 (1980)
28
Arizona v. Fultninante, 499 U.S. 279 (1991)
22
Brown v. Maxwell, 929 F.3d 41 (2d Cir. 2019)
54
Burton v. Johnson, 948 F.2d 1150 (10th Cir. 1991)
29, 30
Clark v. United States, 289 U.S. 1 (1933)
27
Cunningham v. Shoop,
F.4th
2022 WL 92594 (6th Cir. Nos. 11-3005/20-3429,
Jan. 10, 2022)
50
Davis v. Bombardier Recreational Prod., Inc., No. 3:11CV236-TSL-MTP, 2012 WL
112202 (S.D. Miss. Jan. 12, 2012)
52
Dyer v. Calderon, 151 F.3d 970 (9th Cir.1998)
27, 30
Gonzales v. Thomas, 99 F.3d 978 (10th Cir. 1996)
36
Hunley v. Godinez, 975 F.2d 316 (7th Cir. 1992)
29
In re Gucci, 126 F.3d 380 (2d Cir. 1997)
52
In re Sealed Search Warrants Issued June 4 & 5, 2008, No. 08-M-208 (DRH),
2008 WL 5667021 (N.D.N.Y. July 14, 2008)
55
John Doe Agency v. John Doe Corp., 493 U.S. 146 (1989)
52
Linda R.S. v. Richard D., 410 U.S. 614 (1973)
51
Lugosch v. Pyramid Co. of Onondaga, 435 F.3d 110 (2d Cir. 2006)
54
Mazzeo v. Gibbons, No. 2:08-CV-01387-RLH-PA, 2010 WL 3910072
(D. Nev. Sept. 30, 2010)
53
iv
EFTA00155904
McDonough Power Equipment, Inc. v. Greenwood, 464 U.S. 548 (1984)
passim
Metzger v. Hussman, 682 F. Supp. 1109 (D. Nev. 1988)
53
Murphy v. Admit- E. Jersey State Prison, No. 18-2825, 2021 WL 2822179
(3d Cir. July 7, 2021)
46
Murphy v. Nogam, No. CV 14-4268 (KM), 2018 WL 278735 (D.N.J. Jan. 3, 2018)
46
Neder v. United States, 527 U.S. 1 (1999)
28
Pena-Rodriguez v. Colorado, 137 S. Ct. 855 (2017)
50
Rosales-Lopez v. United States, 451 U.S. 182 (1981)
38, 45
Russell v. United States, 141 S. Ct. 2601 (2021)
47
SEC v. The Street.Com, 273 F.3d 222 (2d Cir.2001)
53
Skaggs v. Otis Elevator Co., 164 F.3d 511 (10th Cir. 1998)
29, 35
Smith v. Phillips, 455 U.S. 209 (1982)
21, 25
State v. Ashfar, 196 A.3d 93 (N.H. 2018)
33, 41
State v. Scher, 278 N.J. Super. 249, 263, 650 A.2d 1012 (App. Div. 1994)
45, 46
State v. Thompson, 142 N.J. Super. 274 (App. Div. 1976)
46
State v. Williams, 190 N.J.Super. 111 (App. Div. 1983)
46
United States v. All Right, Title & Int. in Prop., Appurtenances, & Improvements Known
as 479 Tamarind Drive, Hallendale, Fla., No. 98 CIV. 2279 DLC,
2011 WL 1045095 (S.D.N.Y. Mar. 11, 2011)
52
United States v. Amodeo, 44 F.3d 141 (2d Cir. 1995)
53
United States v. Aref, 533 F.3d 72 (2d Cir. 2008)
51
United States v. Barnes, 604 F.2d 121 (2d Cir. 1979)
22, 55
EFTA00155905
United States v. Collins, 2013 WL 4780927 (ED. Wis. 2013)
United States v. Colombo, 869 F.2d 149 (2d Cir. 1989)
United States v. Daugerdas, 867 F. Supp. 2d 445 (S.D.N.Y. 2012)
51
27
passim
United States v. Eubanks, 591 F.2d 513 (9th Cir. 1979)
30
United States v. French, 904 F.3d 111 (1st Cir. 2018)
47
United States v. Greer, 285 F.3d 158 (2d Cir. 2002)
36
United States v. Haynes, 398 F.2d 980 (2d Cir. 1968)
29, 38
United States v. Langford, 990 F.2d 65(2d Cir. 1993)
23, 26
United States v. Martinez-Salazar, 528 U.S. 304 (2000)
22
United States v. Nelson, 277 F.3d 164 (2d Cir. 2002)
21
United States v. Parse, 789 F.3d 83 (2d Cir. 2015)
21
United States v. RMI Co., 599 F.2d 1183 (3d Cir. 1979)
51
United States v. Sampson, 820 F. Supp. 2d 151 (D. Mass. 2011)
United States v. Smith, 985 F. Supp. 2d 506 (S.D.N.Y. 2013)
passim
53
United States v. Stewart, 433 F.3d 273 (2d Cir. 2006)
United States v. Stoerr, 695 F.3d 271 (3d Cir. 2012)
passim
51
United States v. Thomas, 116 F.3d 606 (2d Cir. 1997)
28, 35
United States v. Torres, 128 F.3d 38 (2d Cir. 1997)
passim
United States v. Wood, 299 U.S. 123 (1936)
29, 37
Wainwright v. Witt, 469 U.S. 412 (1985)
28, 43
Warth v. Seldin, 422 U.S. 490 (1975)
52
Wright v. Bernstein, 23 N.J. 284 (1957)
46
vi
EFTA00155906
Constitutional Provisions
U.S. Amend. VI
21, 22
Rules
Fed. R. Civ. P. 12
53, 54
Fed. R. Crim. P. 24
45
Fed. R. Crim. P. 33
1, 21
Fed. R. Evid. 606(b)
49, 50
vii
EFTA00155907
Ghislaine Maxwell moves under Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 33 for a new
trial.
Introduction
Juror No. 50 says he was a victim of sexual assault and sexual abuse as a child.
When he told his fellow jurors of this abuse during deliberations, "[t]he room went dead
silent." Juror No. 50 has told several media outlets that he drew on his personal
experience as a victim to persuade fellow jurors to believe Ms. Maxwell's accusers,
despite the inconsistencies and holes in their stories, even though they delayed disclosing
their allegations against Ms. Maxwell, and in spite of expert testimony from Dr. Elizabeth
Loftus casting significant doubt on the reliability of their claimed memories.
This was unfair and prejudicial to Ms. Maxwell, and it all would have been
avoided if Juror No. 50 had told the truth during voir dire. But he didn't. To the contrary,
Juror No. 50 repeatedly and unequivocally denied having been the victim of sexual
abuse, and he denied having any experience that would affect his ability to serve fairly
and impartially as a juror. Had Juror No. 50 told the truth, he would have been
challenged, and excluded, for cause.
The Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution guarantees trial by jury.
Fundamental to that guarantee is the promise that the jury will be comprised of twelve
dispassionate individuals who will fairly and impartially decide, based on the evidence or
lack of evidence and not on their personal predilections and biases, whether the
government has proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt. Voir dire plays an essential
1
EFTA00155908
role in this process, and it depends on potential jurors to truthfully answer material
questions put to them by the Court and the parties.
That did not happen here. Juror No. 50 did not truthfully respond to perhaps the
most important question put to potential jurors about their personal experiences — a
question that pertained directly to the core allegations against Ms. Maxwell: Whether
they had been a victim of sexual assault or abuse. Juror No. 50's false answer
undermined voir dire, resulted in a jury that was not fair and impartial, and deprived Ms.
Maxwell of her constitutional right to trial by jury.
This Court should vacate the judgment and order a new trial.
Factual Background
I. Jury Selection
A. The jury questionnaire
This Court summoned about seven hundred potential jurors, providing each of
them with a 22-page questionnaire containing 50 questions. Groups of 100 or more jurors
were gathered in the courthouse in morning and afternoon sessions over the course of
three days. They were given as much time as needed to complete the questionnaires.
Potential jurors signed the questionnaires and swore to the accuracy of their responses
under penalty of perjury.
The questionnaire's purpose was to provide the parties with information about
potential jurors and to discern whether any potential juror could not be fair and impartial.
The Court assured the parties that any affirmative answers to questions would be the
subject of follow up questioning during the oral voir dire.
2
EFTA00155909
The questionnaire began with a summary of the indictment and the allegations
against Ms. Maxwell, including allegations of sexual trafficking, enticement, and
transportation.
Given the accusations and the sensitivity of sexual assault, sexual abuse, or sexual
harassment, and the powerful effects such assault, abuse, and harassment can have, the
questionnaire included several questions designed to elicit whether a potential juror had
ever been abused, assaulted, or harassed, and how that might affect their ability to be an
unbiased fact finder.
For example, Question No. 13 asked potential jurors if they could decide the case
purely the evidence or lack of evidence and not based on any biases, sympathies, or
prejudices.
Question 25 asked potential jurors if they were ever a victim of a crime and, if so,
whether that experience would prevent them from being fair and impartial.
Questions 42-50 asked jurors about their feelings and experiences with the types
of alleged conduct at issue in the case, including sexual assault, sexual abuse, and sexual
harassment.
Question 42 asked whether the nature of the allegations against Ms. Maxwell
"might make it difficult" for potential jurors to be fair and impartial. Question 43 asked
potential jurors if they had views about the laws concerning the age of consent and if
those views would affect their ability to be fair and impartial. Question 44 asked potential
jurors if they had views about the laws governing sex trafficking and sex crimes against
minors and if those views would affect their ability to be fair and impartial. Question 47
3
EFTA00155910
asked potential jurors if they would have any difficulty assessing the credibility of
alleged victims of sexual assault or abuse just as they would assess the credibility of any
other witness.
Prior to finalizing the questionnaire, Ms. Maxwell proposed specific questions to
identify potential jurors who had been victims of sexual assault, sexual abuse, or sexual
harassment. The defense proposed to ask potential jurors: (1) "Whether reported or not,
have you, any family member or anyone close to you, including a child/minor, ever been
the victim of any form of sexual abuse? (This includes actual or attempted sexual assault
or other unwanted sexual advance, including by a stranger, acquaintance, supervisor,
teacher, or family member;" and (2) "Whether reported or not, have you, or anyone close
to you, including a child/minor, ever felt in danger of being sexually assaulted by another
person, including a stranger, acquaintance, supervisor, teacher, or family member?" Doc.
367, p 21. The government objected to Ms. Maxwell's proposed questions. Id. The Court
partially agreed with the prosecution, asking a single question about whether potential
jurors had been actual victims of sexual assault, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment.
Specifically, Question 48 asked:
Have you or a friend or family member ever been the victim of sexual
harassment, sexual abuse, or sexual assault? (This includes actual or
attempted sexual assault or other unwanted sexual advance, including by a
stranger, acquaintance, supervisor, teacher, or family member.)
The questionnaire offered three answers: "Yes (self)," "Yes (friend or family member),"
and "No."
4
EFTA00155911
If a potential juror selected either "yes" option, the questionnaire asked individuals
to explain their answer in writing, to state whether having been a victim of sexual assault,
sexual abuse, or sexual harassment would affect their ability to serve fairly and
impartially, and if so, to explain why.
Finally, Question 50 asked potential jurors if there was any experience that they
had that might affect their ability to serve fairly and impartial as a juror.
Six-hundred and ninety-four individuals answered the questionnaire.
B. Juror No. 50's questionnaire
Juror No. 50's questionnaire is attached as Emma 1. Under the penalty of
perjury, Juror. No. 50 answered these questions as follows:
•
Question 13: "Yes," Juror No. 50 could decide the case solely based on the
evidence or lack of evidence and not based on bias, sympathy, or prejudice.
•
Question 25: "No," Juror No. 50 had never been the victim of a crime.
•
Question 42: "No," there was nothing about the nature of the allegations
against Ms. Maxwell that "might make it difficult" for Juror No. 50 to be
fair and impartial.
•
Question 43: "No," Juror No. 50 did not have any views about laws
concerning the age of consent that would affect his ability to be fair and
impartial.
•
Question 44: "No," Juror No. 50 did not have any views about the laws
governing sex trafficking and sex crimes against minors that would affect
his ability to be fair and impartial.
5
EFTA00155912
•
Question 47, "No," Juror No. 50 would not have any difficulty assessing
the credibility of alleged victims of sexual assault or abuse just as he would
assess the credibility of any other witness.
•
Finally, and most importantly, Juror No. 50 answered "no" when asked in
Question 48 if he had ever been the victim of victim of sexual harassment,
sexual abuse, or sexual assault, including actual or attempted sexual assault
or other unwanted sexual advance, including by a stranger, acquaintance,
supervisor, teacher, or family member.
C. Juror No. 50's voir dire
Prior to trial, defense counsel moved the Court to permit limited, attorney-
conducted voir dire of potential jurors. Doc. 342. Defense counsel explained that given
the nature of the allegations, the stakes involved, and the omnipresent media coverage,
attorney-conducted voir dire to supplement the Court's voir dire was necessary to ensure
a fair and impartial jury. Id. at 7-15. Defense counsel pointed specifically to the potential
that certain jurors could not be fair if they had been a victim of sexual assault or sexual
abuse. Id. at 9-10. The Court declined to permit attorney-conducted voir dire. TR
10/21/2021, p 8.
Prior to trial, defense counsel also proposed that the Court individually ask each
juror in person several questions including "Have you or anyone close to you ever been
the victim of a crime?" and "Have you or has anyone close to you ever been the victim of
a sexual crime?" Doc. 367-1 at 14. The government objected that the questions were
"duplicative of questions included in the proposed voir dire" and should not be asked
6
EFTA00155913
again. Id. at 13. The defense responded in part that "asking the questions live when the
jurors' reactions, hesitations, explanations can be explored by the Court and observed by
the parties will aid in the selection of an impartial and fair jury." Id. The Court denied
the defense's request.
Juror No. 50 appeared for his voir dire on November 16. Because Juror No. 50
answered "no" to all the relevant questions about sexual abuse, sexual assault, sexual
harassment and being the victim of a crime, his voir dire was very brief, spanning just
seven pages of transcript. TR 11/6/2021, pp 128-34; EXHIBIT 2. The Court did not ask
Juror No. 50 whether the abuse he suffered would make it difficult to be a fair and
impartial juror, whether he would be biased against Ms. Maxwell, whether he could set
aside any bias he might have, or whether he could fairly and impartially evaluate Ms.
Maxwell's defense, which challenged, in part, the reliability of her accusers' memories.
As to the questions the Court did ask (most of which addressed his personal
background),
7
EFTA00155914
At the end of the very brief voir dire examination, the Court asked Juror No. 50 if
he had "[a]ny doubt about [his] ability to" be fair to both sides. Id. at 134. Juror No. 50
said, "no." Id. The Court concluded: "Other than what I have asked you, do you have any
reason to think that you can't be fair and impartial here?" Id. Juror No. 50 responded, "I
do not." Id.
The Court inquired whether the parties had any follow-up questions. Because
Juror No. 50 denied any bias or inability to be fair and impartial, and because his answers
to the questionnaire did not raise any red flags about his ability to serve as a fair and
impartial juror in a case involving alleged sexual assault and sexual abuse, Ms.
Maxwell's attorneys did not propose any follow-up questions.
8
EFTA00155915
D. The final composition of the jury
Six-hundred and ninety-four potential jurors answered the 50-question
questionnaire.
•
•
2 The parties submitted this joint list before reviewing the second round of
questionnaires.
9
EFTA00155916
I0
EFTA00155917
• Of the 5 jurors seated as alternates, none disclosed on their questionnaires
that they were victims of sexual abuse, sexual assault, or sexual
harassment.4
• Of the 12 deliberating jurors, none disclosed on their questionnaires that
they were victims of sexual abuse, sexual assault, or sexual harassment.
As we now know, however, Juror No. 50 was not telling the truth when he denied being a
victim of a crime or being a victim of sexual abuse, sexual assault, or sexual harassment.
And as explained below, it appears a second deliberating juror was also untruthful when
they denied being a victim of sexual abuse, sexual assault, or sexual harassment.
II. Juror No. 50's admissions that he wasn't truthful with the Court
4 The court originally seated 6 alternates, but one alternate became a deliberating
juror when an original juror was excused due to a family commitment. None of the 18
individuals selected for service as a deliberating or alternate juror answered "yes" when
asked if they were a victim of sexual abuse, sexual assault, or sexual harassment.
11
EFTA00155918
A. Juror No. 50's statements to the media
1. The interview with The Independent
On January 4, 2022, less than one week after the jury returned its verdict, Lucia
Osborne-Crowley of The Independent published an article based on an interview with
Juror No. 50.5 Going by the name Scotty David, Juror No. 50 told Ms. Osborne-Crowley
that Iglus verdict is for all the victims" and "shows that you can be found guilty no
matter your status." Juror No. 50 admitted to being a victim of sexual assault and abuse,
telling Ms. Osborne-Crowley that he revealed the abuse to the jury and that his story was
fundamental to the jury's verdict. According to Juror No. 50, the "jury room went dead
silent when he shared his story."
Juror No. 50 explained to Ms. Osborne-Crowley how his own experience helped
the jury come to believe the alleged victims despite the holes and inconsistencies in their
stories. "I know what happened when I was sexually abused. I remember the colour of
the carpet, the walls. Some of it can be replayed like a video."
Relying on his own experiences, Juror No. 50 refused to credit the testimony of
Dr. Elizabeth Loftus, Ms. Maxwell's expert witness on memory. None of Dr. Loftus's
testimony, said Juror No. 50, "relate[d]to traumatic memory." Juror No. 50 explained all
of this to the jury. Ms. Maxwell's accusers "were all believable," Juror No. 50 said.
"Nothing they said felt to me like a lie." Sometimes, he said, you can misremember
trivial details of a traumatic event without every doubting the core of the memory.
5 https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/maxwell-juror-account-
abuse-b1986478.html
12
EFTA00155919
Juror No. 50 also explained, again based on his personal experience, why it was
immaterial to him and the jury that the alleged victims did not disclose Ms. Maxwell's
alleged involvement until very recently, some twenty years after the alleged abuse. "I
didn't disclose my abuse until I was in high school," he said.
Juror No. 50 also had an excuse for why the alleged victims in this case kept going
back to Mr. Epstein and Ms. Maxwell and accepting help from them even after they had
been abused. The alleged victims' conduct, explained Juror No. 50, was irrelevant to their
credibility. In Juror No. 50's view, Ms. Maxwell's defense team was continually
attacking the alleged victims and trying to get the jury to judge them for their decisions,
as opposed to arguing that their stories were not worthy of belief.
2. The interview with the Daily Mail
On January 5, the Daily Mail published an article based on its interview with Juror
No. 50,6 in which he described Ms. Maxwell as a "predator." Juror No. 50 also shared
that he helped other members of the jury understand things from a victim's point of view
and explained how "you can't remember all the details" of traumatic memories: "there
are some things that run together." When Juror No. 50 told his fellow jurors of the abuse
he suffered, the room "went silent." Although he couldn't remember every detail, there
were others that stuck with him: "I know what happened when I was sexually abused. I
remember the color of the carpet, the walls. Some of it can be replayed like a video."
Juror No. 50 said the verdict was for "all the victims."
6 https://www.dailymail .co.uk/news/article-10370193/Ghislaine-Maxwell- juror-
says-evidence-convinced-panel-predator.html
13
EFTA00155920
3. The interview with Reuters
The same day the Daily Mail published its article, Reuters also published a story
based on an interview Juror No. 50 provided to journalist Luc Cohen.7 In the Reuters
interview, Juror No. 50 elaborated about the purpose and effect of his disclosing to the
jury that he was a victim of sexual assault. According to Juror No. 50, coming to a
unanimous verdict "wasn't easy, to be honest." In fact, several jurors doubted the
credibility of
. "When I shared that [I had been sexually abused],"
recounted Juror No. 50, the jurors who had doubts "were able to sort of come around on,
they were able to come around on the memory aspect of the sexual abuse."
4. The partial video of the interview with the Daily Mail
On January 7, the Daily Mail published a video of a portion of the interview with
Juror No. 50. This video is submitted to the Court as EXHIBIT 3. The video shows the
moment when the interviewer confronts Juror No. 50 about whether he disclosed to the
Court and the parties that he was a victim of sexual assault. The interviewer asks whether
Juror No. 50's history of being sexually abused was "something that [he'd] said yes to in
the questionnaire" such that it "was something people were aware of when [he was]
selected as a juror."
Juror No. 50 denied being asked such a question, saying, "No, they don't ask your
sexual abuse history. They didn't ask it in the questionnaire."
7 https://www.reuters.com/world/us/some-ghislaine-maxwell-jurors-initially-
doubted-accusers-juror-says-2022-01-05/
14
EFTA00155921
The interviewer challenges Juror No. 50 on this response, saying, "I thought in the
questionnaire, there was a question that asked if you were a victim or if you were a friend
or a relative of a victim." "Pretty sure it was number 48," the interviewer concludes.
"Interesting," Juror No. 50 responds, his face turning red.
The interviewer notices that Juror No. 50's face is flushing, saying, "You're not
out in the sun right now [inaudible]."
Juror No. 50 stumbles to respond: "No, No! I know my face is red because I can
feel the blood but, I honestly—that's why I answered it that way. I don't remember it
being there but. Um... I did answer, I definitely remember a family or relative or
something but—being sexually abused. I was honest on all my questions."
B. Juror No. 50's social media activity
On January 4, after Ms. Osborne-Crawley first published her interview with Juror
No. 50
quote-Tweeted a Tweet from Ms. Osborne-Crawley, linking to the
interview.
said:
15
EFTA00155922
Lucia Osborne-Crowley 0 • 13h
WORLDWIDE EXCLUSIVE: I secured
the first ever interview with a member
of the jury in the
#GhislaineMaxwellTrial. I'm so grateful
to Scotty for talking to me about why...
Show this thread
8
43
c) 162
A short time later, Juror No. 50 "liked" 's
Tweet. Juror No. 50 then Tweeted
directly to
in response:
16
EFTA00155923
Q
o:o
Scotty David
1 Twee:
39 Following 1 Follower
Not followed by anyone you're foilowing
Tweets
Tweets & replies
Media
Likes
41. Lucia Osborne-Crowley 0 • 13h
WORLDWIDE EXCLUSIVE: I secured
the first ever interview with a member
of the jury in the
#GhislaineMaxwellTrial. I'm so grateful
to Scotty for talking to me about why...
Show this thread
Q 9
n
43
(7 161
t-J
it
Scotty David @ScottyDavidNYC • 4h
Thanks for being brave enough to stand up
and share your experience. Your story was
critical in how we reached our verdict in
that jury room. Thanks for sharing my story
G
Juror No. 50 also "liked" Ms. Osborne-Crawley's Tweet linking to his interview.
At the time Juror No. 50 Tweeted to
his Twitter handle was the same
name he used in his press interviews: "@ScottyDavidNYC."
17
EFTA00155924
Shortly after Tweeting
Follow
)
Scotty David
@ScottyDavidNYC
® Manhattan, NY ll Joined April 2021
39 Following 1 Follower
Not followed by anyone you're following
Tweets
Tweets & replies
Media
Likes
a Lucia Osborne-Crowley 0 • 13h
WORLDWIDE EXCLUSIVE: I secured
the first ever interview with a member
of the jury in the
#GhislaineMaxwellTrial. I'm so grateful
to Scotty for talking to me about why...
Show this thread
0 9
tj, 43
(2 161
0'
Q
cco
however, Juror No. 50 changed his Twitter handle to
"@NycSsddd." He also attempted to delete his Tweet to
18
EFTA00155925
9:31 4
4 Outlook
Tweet
S
@NycSsddd
Replying to @anniefarmer
Thanks for being brave enough to
stand up and share your experience.
Your story was critical in how we
reached our verdict in that jury room.
Thanks for sharing my story
4:07 PM • 1/4/22 • Twitter for Phone
1 Retweet 3 Likes
This Tweet has been deleted.
Juror No. 50 did not "unlike'
tweet, or the Tweet by Ms. Osborne-
Crawley linking to his interview.
In early January, Juror No. 50 also posted about his jury service on his Instagram
account,
19
EFTA00155926
8:00+
thicbrartravels
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Shortly thereafter, Juror No. 50 predictably deleted his Twitter account and his
Instagram account. He also appears to have deleted his Facebook and LinkedIn accounts.
20
EFTA00155927
C. A second juror admits to disclosing during deliberations that they were
a victim of sexual assault
During his press tour, Juror No. 50 revealed in interviews that he was not alone in
revealing to jurors that he was a victim of sexual assault, describing to reporter that a
second juror also disclosed that they were a victim of sexual abuse.8 On January 5, the
New York Times published an article confirming Juror No. 50's statement, reporting that
"a second juror described in an interview . . . having been sexually abused as a child.s9
"This juror, who requested anonymity, said that they, too, had discussed the experience
during deliberations and that the revelation had appeared to help shape the jury's
discussions." To date, this juror has not publicly revealed their identity, and Ms. Maxwell
does not know who it is.19
Applicable Law
I. Juror No. 50's misconduct deprived Ms. Maxwell of her constitutional right
to a fair trial by an impartial jury.
A. A party alleging unfairness based on undisclosed juror bias must
demonstrate first, that the juror's voir dire response was false and
8 https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10379445/Ghislaine-Maxwells-
lawyers-fought-ask-jurors-detailed-questions-sexual-abuse.html
° https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/05/nyregion/maxwell-trial-jury-inquiry.html
10
21
EFTA00155928
second, that the correct response would have provided a valid basis for
a challenge for cause.
Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 33 provides that, "[u]pon the defendant's
motion, the court may vacate any judgment and grant a new trial if the interest of justice
so requires." Fed. R. Crim. P. 33(a).
The Sixth Amendment guarantees a criminal defendant the right to a trial by an
impartial jury. U.S. Const. amend. VI. In McDonough Power Equipment, Inc. v.
Greenwood, the Supreme Court recognized that "[o]ne touchstone of a fair trial is an
impartial trier of fact—`a jury capable and willing to decide the case solely on the
evidence before it."' 464 U.S. 548, 554 (1984) (quoting Smith v. Phillips, 455 U.S. 209,
217 (1982)). "The right to trial before an impartial trier of fact—be it a jury or a judge—
therefore implicates Due Process as well as Sixth Amendment rights." United States v.
Nelson, 277 F.3d 164, 201 (2d Cir. 2002).
In turn, "Ivkir dire plays an essential role in protecting the right to trial by an
impartial jury." United States v. Daugerdas, 867 F. Supp. 2d 445, 468 (S.D.N.Y. 2012)
(granting new trial to three defendants based on juror dishonesty during voir dire and
concluding one defendant, Parse, waived his new trial motion), vacated and remanded
sub nom. United States v. Parse, 789 F.3d 83 (2d Cir. 2015) (reversing district court's
conclusion that the defendant Parse waived his new trial motion). It is bedrock
constitutional law that defendants have a right to "a full and fair opportunity to expose
bias or prejudice on the part of veniremen" and that "there must be sufficient information
elicited on voir dire to permit a defendant to intelligently exercise not only his challenges
22
EFTA00155929
for cause, but also his peremptory challenges." United States v. Barnes, 604 F.2d 121,
139 (2d Cir. 1979) (internal quotations and citations omitted). "A juror's dishonesty
during voir dire undermines a defendant's right to a fair trial." Daugerdas, 867 F. Supp.
2d at 468; U.S. Const. amend. VI.
"[A] party alleging unfairness based on undisclosed juror bias must demonstrate
first, that the juror's voir dire response was false and second, that the correct response
would have provided a valid basis for a challenge for cause." United States v. Stewart,
433 F.3d 273, 303 (2d Cir. 2006) (citing McDonough, 464 U.S. at 556).
A defendant need not demonstrate prejudice when a juror gives a false answer to a
material question during voir dire if the juror would have been subject to a challenge for
cause if he had answered honestly. See United States v. Martinez-Salazar, 528 U.S. 304,
316 (2000) (the "seating of any juror who should have been dismissed for cause" "would
require reversal"). When a biased juror deliberates on a jury, structural error occurs, and a
new trial is required without a showing of actual prejudice. See Arizona v. Fulminante,
499 U.S. 279, 307-10 (1991).
B. An intentionally false answer during voir dire is not a prerequisite to
obtaining a new trial.
"Intentionally false" juror answers are not a prerequisite to a finding that a
defendant's constitutional right to a fair and impartial jury have been violated.
McDonough, 464 U.S. at 553-56; id. at 556-57 (Blackmun, J., concurring); id. at 557-59
(Brennan, J., concurring in judgment). So long as a truthful answer would have subjected
the juror to a challenge for cause based on bias, an inadvertent false answer is just as
23
EFTA00155930
invidious as an intentionally false answer. United States v. Langford, 990 F.2d 65, 68 (2d
Cir. 1993)." As the Second Circuit held in Langford:
We read [McDonough] multi-part test as governing not only inadvertent
nondisclosures but also nondisclosures or misstatements that were deliberate,
for though the McDonough Court began with the inadvertent response before
it, it stated that the further showing of cause must be made even after a juror's
"failure to answer honestly," and it hypothesized that there could be various
"motives for concealing." Concurring in the judgment, Justice Brennan
similarly stated that a second element—bias—should be required even if the
juror's erroneous response was deliberate. Thus, he stated that the
proper focus when ruling on a motion for new trial in this
situation should be on the bias of the juror and the resulting
prejudice to the litigant. . .
. . . Whether the juror answered a particular question on voir
dire honestly or dishonestly, or whether an inaccurate answer
was inadvertent or intentional, are simply factors to be
considered in th[e] . . . determination of actual bias.
Langford, 990 F.2d at 68 (quoting McDonough, 464 U.S. at 557-58 (Brennan, J.,
concurring in judgment)).
The seminal case addressing a juror's false answers during voir dire is
McDonough Power Equipment, Inc. v. Greenwood. McDonough was a products liability
action in which Juror Payton remained silent when the district court asked, "how many of
you [potential jurors] have yourself or any members of your immediate family sustained
any severe injury [in] an accident at home, or on the farm or at work that result in any
disability or prolonged pain and suffering?" 464 U.S. at 550. After trial, it was discovered
This caselaw uses "deliberate" and "intentional" interchangeably.
24
EFTA00155931
that Juror Payton's son had been injured in an explosion of a fire truck. Id. at 551. The
district court denied a motion for a new trial without holding a hearing. Id.
The court of appeals reversed, ordering a new trial instead of remanding for a
hearing. Id. at 551-52. The court of appeals held that if "an average prospective juror
would have disclosed the information, and that information would have been significant
and cogent evidence of the juror's probable bias, a new trial is required to rectify the
failure to disclose it." Id. at 552. "Good faith," said the court, was "irrelevant to the
inquiry." Id.
The Supreme Court reversed the court of appeals, concluding that it employed the
wrong standard and erred in reaching the merits instead of remanding the case to the
district court for an evidentiary hearing. Id. at 556. As for the correct legal standard, the
Court said that
to obtain a new trial in such a situation, a party must first demonstrate that a
juror failed to answer honestly a material question on voir dire, and then
further show that a correct response would have provided a valid basis for a
challenge for cause.
Id. The Court remanded to the court of appeals to consider any outstanding issues and,
assuming the judgment wasn't reversed for other reasons, to remand to the district court
for an evidentiary hearing applying the new legal standard. Id.
The court emphasized that "Moir dire examination serves to protect [the fair trial]
right by exposing possible biases, both known and unknown, on the part of potential
jurors" and that the "necessity of truthful answers by prospective jurors if [voir dire] is to
serve its purpose is obvious." Id. at 554. The Court did not expressly disavow the court of
25
EFTA00155932
appeals' statement that the good faith of a potential juror was "irrelevant" to the inquiry.
Id. at 553-56.
There were two concurring opinions in McDonough, joined by a total of five
justices, which make clear that an intentionally false answer is not a prerequisite to
obtaining a new trial. Writing for himself and Justices Stevens and O'Connor, Justice
Blackmun said:
I agree with the Court that the proper inquiry in this case is whether the
defendant had the benefit of an impartial trier of fact. I also agree that, in
most cases, the honesty or dishonesty of a juror's response is the best initial
indicator of whether the juror in fact was impartial. I therefore join the
Court's opinion, but I write separately to state that I understand the Court's
holding not to foreclose the normal avenue of relief available to a party who
is asserting that he did not have the benefit of an impartial jury. Thus,
regardless of whether a juror's answer is honest or dishonest, it remains
within a trial court's option, in determining whether a jury was biased, to
order a post-trial hearing at which the movant has the opportunity to
demonstrate actual bias or, in exceptional circumstances, that the facts are
such that bias is to be inferred. See Smith v. Phillips, 455 U.S. 209, 215-16
(O'Connor, J., concurring).
Id. at 556-57 (Blackmun, J., concurring (emphasis added)). This was the entirety of
Justice Blackmun's dissent. Id.
For his part, Justice Brennan joined by Justice Marshall recognized that "the bias
of a juror will rarely be admitted by the juror himself, 'partly because the juror may have
an interest in concealing his own bias and partly because the juror may be unaware of
it.'" Id. at 558 (Brennan, J., concurring in judgment) (quoting majority opinion).
"Necessarily," then, Justice Brennan explained, bias "must be inferred from surrounding
facts and circumstances." Id. "Whether the juror answered a particular question on voir
dire honestly or dishonestly, or whether an inaccurate answer was inadvertent or
26
EFTA00155933
intentional, are simply factors to be considered in this latter determination of actual bias."
Id. "One easily can imagine cases in which a prospective juror provides what he
subjectively believes to be an honest answer, yet that same answer is objectively incorrect
and therefore suggests that the individual would be a biased juror in the particular case."
Id. at 559.
The Second Circuit adopted this reading of McDonough, endorsing the view
expressed by Justice Brennan (and shared by Justice Blackmun) that an intentionally false
answer is not a prerequisite to obtaining a new trial. United States v. Langford, 990 F.2d
65, 68 (2d Cir. 1993) ("We read this multi-part test as governing not only inadvertent
nondisclosures but also nondisclosures or misstatements that were deliberate."); id. at 68
(adopting Justice Brennan's reasoning). Accordingly, in the Second Circuit, "a party
alleging unfairness based on undisclosed juror bias must demonstrate first, that the juror's
voir dire response was false and second, that the correct response would have provided a
valid basis for a challenge for cause." United States v. Stewart, 433 F.3d 273, 303 (2d
Cir. 2006).
Of course, individuals cannot be allowed to lie their way onto a jury. Writing for a
unanimous Supreme Court, Justice Cardozo concluded: "If the answers to the questions
[during voir dire] are willfully evasive or knowingly untrue, the talesman, when
accepted, is a juror in name only . . . His relation to the court and to the parties is tainted
in its origin; it is a mere pretense and sham." Clark v. United States, 289 U.S. 1, 11
(1933). "[A] juror who lies [his] way onto a jury is not really a juror at all; []he is an
interloper akin `to a stranger who sneaks into the jury room.' Daugerdas, 867 F. Supp.
27
EFTA00155934
2d at 468 (quoting Dyer v. Calderon, 151 F.3d 970, 983 (9th Cir.1998) (en banc)).
"[C]ourts cannot administer justice in circumstances in which a juror can commit a
federal crime in order to serve as a juror in a criminal case and do so with no fear of
sanction so long as a conviction results." United States v. Colombo, 869 F.2d 149, 152
(2d Cir. 1989).
Argument
I. Ms. Maxwell is entitled to a new trial.
This Court must order a new trial if Ms. Maxwell can make two showings: First,
that Juror No. 50's voir dire response was false and second, that the correct response
would have provided a valid basis for a challenge for cause. Stewart, 433 F.3d at 303.
Even without an evidentiary hearing, Ms. Maxwell has made that showing here.
A. Juror No. 50 did not truthfully answer material questions during voir
dire, including Questions 25 and 48.
There is no reasonable dispute that Juror No. 50's voir dire responses were false.
Juror No. 50 has told several media outlets that he was a victim of sexual assault and
sexual abuse as a child. Necessarily, then, Juror No. 50 did not provide truthful answers
when he denied being the victim of a crime (Question 25) or being a victim of sexual
harassment, sexual abuse, or sexual assault (Question 48).
And because being a victim of sexual assault or sexual abuse is material to an
individual's ability to serve as a fair and impartial juror in a case about sexual assault and
sexual abuse, Ms. Maxwell has satisfied the first prong of the McDonough test. See
United States v. Sampson, 820 F. Supp. 2d 151, 172 (D. Mass. 2011) ("[A] matter is
28
EFTA00155935
material if it has a natural tendency to influence, or be capable of influencing, the judge
who must decide whether to excuse a juror for cause." (citing Neder v. United States, 527
U.S. 1, 16 (1999) (giving general definition of materiality))).
B. Had Juror No. 50 answered Questions 25 and 48 truthfully, his answers
would have provided a valid basis for a challenge for cause.
The second question is whether truthful responses from Juror No. 50 would have
provided a valid basis for a challenge for cause. See Stewart, 433 F.3d at 303. "[T]he test
is not whether the true facts would compel the Court to remove a juror for cause, but
rather whether a truthful response `would have provided a valid basis for a challenge for
cause.' Daugerdas, 867 F. Supp. 2d at 470 (quoting McDonough, 464 U.S. at 556).
"An impartial jury is one in which every juror is `capable and willing to decide the
case solely on the evidence before [him].' Id. (quoting McDonough, 464 U.S. at 554).
"Jurors are instructed that they are to decide the question of a defendant's guilt based
solely on the evidence presented." Id. (citing United States v. Thomas, 116 F.3d 606, 616-
17 n.10 (2d Cir. 1997). A juror is biased—i.e., not impartial—if his experiences "would
`prevent or substantially impair the performance of his duties as a juror in accordance
with his instructions and his oath.' Wainwright v. Witt, 469 U.S. 412, 424 (1985)
(quoting Adams v. Texas, 448 U.S. 38, 45 (1980)); see also United States v. Torres, 128
F.3d 38, 43 (2d Cir. 1997) (juror who structured financial transactions properly excused
for cause in case involving structuring of cash deposits).
29
EFTA00155936
Challenges for cause can be based on implied bias, inferable bias, or actual basis.
See Torres, 128 F.3d at 43; see also Sampson, 820 F. Supp. 2d at 162-67 (discussing at
length each type of bias).
1. Implied bias
"Implied or presumed bias is `bias conclusively presumed as a matter of law.'
Torres, 128 F.3d at 45 (quoting Wood, 299 U.S. at 133). "It is attributed to a prospective
juror regardless of actual partiality." Id. "In contrast to the inquiry for actual bias, which
focuses on whether the record at voir dire supports a finding that the juror was in fact
partial, the issue for implied bias is whether an average person in the position of the juror
in controversy would be prejudiced." Id. (citing Haynes, 398 F.2d at 984). "And in
determining whether a prospective juror is impliedly biased, `his statements upon voir
dire [about his ability to be impartial] are totally irrelevant." Id. (quoting Haynes, 398
F.2d at 984).
As is relevant here, there are two ways in which courts imply bias. First, "[c]ourts
imply bias `when there are similarities between the personal experiences of the juror and
the issues being litigated.' Daugerdas, 867 F. Supp. 2d at 472 (quoting Sampson, 820 F.
Supp. 2d at 163-64); see also Skaggs v. Otis Elevator Co., 164 F.3d 511, 517 (10th Cir.
1998) (collecting cases where bias was implied based on the juror's experiences); see,
e.g., Hunley v. Godinez, 975 F.2d 316, 319-20 (7th Cir. 1992) (holding, in a case
charging murder in the course of a burglary, that bias should be implied where two jurors
were the victims of similar burglaries during deliberations); Burton v. Johnson, 948 F.2d
1150, 1159 (10th Cir. 1991) (holding, in murder case in which the defendant presented a
30
EFTA00155937
defense based on having suffered domestic violence at the hands of the victim, that a
juror living in similarly abusive circumstances at the time of trial, and who gave
dishonest answers regarding that subject at voir dire, was impliedly biased); United
States v. Eubanks, 591 F.2d 513, 517 (9th Cir. 1979) (per curiam) (implying bias where,
in a trial for participation in a heroin distribution conspiracy, a juror failed to disclose at
voir dire that he had two sons who were serving long prison sentences for heroin-related
crimes).
Second, courts imply bias when "repeated lies in voir dire imply that the juror
concealed material facts in order to secure a spot on the particular jury." Daugerdas, 867
F. Supp. 2d at 472 (quotation omitted). "A juror . . . who lies materially and repeatedly in
response to legitimate inquiries about her background introduces destructive uncertainties
into the process." Dyer, 151 F.3d at 983.
Under both theories, Juror No. 50 was impliedly biased. First, bias should be
implied because this is a case in which "there are similarities between the personal
experiences of the juror and the issues being litigated." Daugerdas, 867 F. Supp. 2d at
472. "When a juror has life experiences that correspond with evidence presented during
the trial, that congruence raises obvious concerns about the juror's possible bias."
Sampson v. United States, 724 F.3d 150, 167 (1st Cir. 2013) (citing Torres, 128 F.3d at
47-48; Burton, 948 F.2d at 1158-59). "In such a situation, the juror may have enormous
difficulty separating her own life experiences from evidence in the case." Id. The First
Circuit has commented, for example, that "it would be natural for a juror who had been
31
EFTA00155938
the victim of a home invasion to harbor bias against a defendant accused of such a
crime." Id.
The same is true here: "It would be natural for a juror who had been the victim of
[sexual assault and sexual abuse] to harbor bias against a defendant accused of such a
crime." See id. Like Jane, Carolyn, Kate, an'
Juror No. 50 claims to be a
victim of child sexual abuse. Like Jane, Carolyn, Kate, and
Juror No. 50
delayed disclosing the abuse he suffered. Like Jane, Carolyn, Kate, and
Juror No. 50 says the memories of the abuse he suffered can be "replayed like a video."
And like Jane, who described Mr. Epstein's New York apartment and said it had a "red
mood," TR at 320, Juror No. 50 says he can remember the "color of the carpet, [of] the
walls" in the room where he was abused.
These similarities are profound because they bear on the principal argument Ms.
Maxwell made against her accusers' claimed memories: They were corrupted and
unreliable. Juror No. 50's claim that the memory of his abuse can be "replayed like a
video" is perhaps most significant, because it directly contradicts Dr. Loftus's expert
testimony:
Q. Memory has been termed a constructive process; correct?
A. Yes.
Q. Could you explain what that means to the jury.
A. What we mean by that is as I testified earlier, we don't just record events
and play it back later like a recording device would work, like a video
machine, but rather, we are actually constructing our memories when we
retrieve memories. We often take bits and pieces of experience sometimes
32
EFTA00155939
that occurred at different times and places, bring it together, and construct
what feels like a recollection.
TR at 2427. Given Juror No. 50's personal experience and belief about memory and its
reliability, there was no way he could fairly evaluate Ms. Maxwell's challenge to the
credibility of her accusers' memories or the expert testimony of Dr. Loftus.I2
Several decisions support this conclusion. In Sampson v. United States, for
example, the First Circuit affirmed the district court's decision to order a new penalty-
phase hearing in a death penalty case after a juror falsely denied, among other things,
having been a victim of a crime. 724 F.3d at 154, 162. In fact, however, the juror
repeatedly had been menaced by her husband with a shotgun. Id. at 168. But because the
juror had not told the truth during voir dire, she was seated on a jury in a case involving a
bank robbery in which the defendant threatened bank tellers at gunpoint. Id. "These
parallels," the Court said, "raise a serious concern as to whether an ordinary person in
[the juror's] shoes would be able to disregard her own experiences in evaluating the
evidence." Id.
To be sure, the juror in Sampson did not limit her false answers to a single
question. She also answered falsely to several other questions during voir dire, some
material and some not. Id. at 162-63, 166. A combination of factors led the First Circuit
to affirm the order for a new penalty-phase hearing. Id. at 168. Here, Juror No. 50's false
12 Juror No. 50's confidence in his memory is not necessarily a predictor of the
memory's reliability. As Dr. Loftus testified, "when you have post-event suggestion or
intervention, people get very confident about their wrong answers, and you can see that
even wrong answers or false information, false memories can be expressed with a high
degree of confidence." TR at 2430.
33
EFTA00155940
answers to Questions 25 and 48 are reason enough to order a new trial because they relate
to the core allegations against Ms. Maxwell. Moreover, if this Court orders an evidentiary
hearing, it is likely additional false answers will come to light, further supporting the
conclusion that Ms. Maxwell is entitled to a new trial.
In State v. Ashfar, the defendant was convicted of aggravated sexual assault based
on the allegation that he touched the genitals of his 12-year-old client during a therapy
session. 196 A.3d 93, 94 (N.H. 2018).13 The empaneled jury, however, included an
individual who had been sexually assaulted by a babysitter when he was five or six years
old. Id. at 95. The juror had not disclosed this during voir dire and had, instead, answered
"no" when asked if "[he] or a close member of your family or a close friend ever been a
victim of a crime?" Id. at 95. The trial court ordered a new trial, relying both on the
juror's false answer during voir dire but also his post-verdict conduct, which included
communications with a female victim of sexual assault who wrote a book on the subject
and the juror's self-identification as "an advocate for people." Id. at 96. The New
Hampshire Supreme Court affirmed.
The decisions in Sampson and Ashfar support a new trial here. Like those cases,
Juror No. 50 falsely denied having a personal experience strikingly similar to the conduct
at issue in the criminal case. Juror No. 50's experience as a sexual assault victim "raise[s]
13 Because state courts are more often the venue for prosecution of crimes
involving sexual assault, state court decisions are particularly helpful. The New
Hampshire Supreme Court "assum[ed] without deciding that McDonough provides the
applicable analytical framework" and concluded that the trial court "sustainably exercised
its discretion in finding the juror "was not impartial." 196 A.3d at 97.
34
EFTA00155941
a serious concern as to whether an ordinary person in [Juror No. 50's] shoes would be
able to disregard [his] own experiences in evaluating the evidence." Id. Moreover, like
the juror in Ashfar, Juror No. 50's post-trial conduct further supports a finding of implied
bias. The juror in Ashfar communicated with a victim of sexual assault; here, Juror No.
50 communicated with Annie Famer. The juror in Ashfar viewed himself as "advocate for
people;" here, Juror No. 50 proclaimed that the verdict against Ms. Maxwell was a
verdict "for all the victims."
The bias of Juror No. 50 should be implied for another reason: "[R]epeated lies in
voir dire imply that the juror concealed material facts in order to secure a spot on the
particular jury." Daugerdas, 867 F. Supp. 2d at 472.
Crucially, "[elven when prospective jurors are dishonest for reasons other than a
desire to secure a seat on the jury, dishonest answers to voir dire questions indicate that a
juror is unwilling or unable `to apply the law as instructed by the court to the evidence
35
EFTA00155942
presented by the parties' and, therefore, are indicative of a lack of impartiality because a
fundamental instruction in every federal case is that a juror must render a verdict `solely
on the evidence presented at trial.'" Sampson, 820 F. Supp. 2d at 165 (quoting Thomas,
116 F.3d at 617 & n.10 (citing The Federal Judicial Center's Benchbook for U.S. District
Court Judges)). Therefore, dishonest answers are a factor that can contribute to a finding
of implied bias. See Skaggs, 164 F.3d at 517.
The false answers Ms. Maxwell knows about so far, by themselves, provide a
basis for a new trial because, if they had been exposed during voir dire, this Court would
have treated Juror No. 50 just as it treated Juror No.
But he
also did much more, falsely denying that he had been a victim of sexual assault or sexual
abuse.
This Court should treat Juror No. 50 just as it treated Juror No.nand on that
ground order a new trial.
36
EFTA00155943
2. Inferable bias
"'Inferable' or `inferred' bias exists `when a juror discloses a fact that bespeaks a
risk of partiality sufficiently significant to warrant granting the trial judge discretion to
excuse the juror for cause, but not so great as to make mandatory a presumption of bias.'
Daugerdas, 867 F. Supp. 2d at 474 (quoting United States v. Greer, 285 F.3d 158, 171
(2d Cir. 2002)). A court should dismiss a potential juror for inferable bias "after having
received responses from the juror that permit an inference that the juror in question would
not be able to decide the matter objectively." Torres, 128 F.3d at 47. "[Tjhis is so even
though the juror need not be asked the specific question of whether he or she could
decide the case impartially." Id.
"Moreover, once facts are elicited that permit a finding of inferable bias, then, just
as in the situation of implied bias, the juror's statements as to his or her ability to be
impartial become irrelevant." Id. "The crux of the implied bias analysis in a case like this
one is found in an examination of the similarities between the juror's experiences and the
incident giving rise to the trial." Torres, 128 F.3d at 48 (quoting Gonzales v. Thomas, 99
F.3d 978, 989 (10th Cir. 1996)). Assuming this Court does not imply bias, it should
nevertheless infer bias.
In United States v. Torres, the defendant was convicted of conspiracy to launder
the proceeds of a heroin trafficking scheme by structuring financial transactions. 128 F.3d
at 41. Over the defense's objection, the district court (Judge Preska) dismissed for cause a
potential juror who admitted that she "had at one time engaged in the `structuring' of
cash transactions." Id. at 42. On appeal, the Second Circuit affirmed, concluding that the
37
EFTA00155944
district court did not err in inferring bias. Id. at 47-48. "Given the similarity of Juror No.
7's structuring activity to the conduct alleged against appellant Devery in this case, it was
reasonable for Judge Preska to conclude that the average person in Juror No. 7's position
might have felt personally threatened." Id. at 48. Although the Court in Torres declined
to define the "precise scope of a trial judge's discretion to infer bias," Judge Calabresi
further explained:
It is enough for the present to note that cases in which a juror has engaged in
activities that closely approximate those of the defendant on trial are
particularly apt. The exercise of the trial judge's discretion to grant
challenges for cause on the basis of inferred bias is especially appropriate
in such situations.
Id. at 47 (emphasis added).
Just as it is "especially appropriate" for a court to infer bias when a potential juror
has engaged in "activities that closely approximate those of the defendant on trial," so too
is it "especially appropriate" for a court to infer bias when a potential juror has been
subject to conduct "that closely approximate[d] [that] of the defendant on trial." See id. In
such a case, there is just too great a risk that such a juror will not be able to decide the
case purely based on the applicable law and the evidence or lack of evidence, even
though that inability may be unconscious. This is one such case.
3. Actual bias
"Actual bias is `bias in fact'—the existence of a state of mind that leads to an
inference that the person will not act with entire impartiality." Torres, 128 F.3d at 43
(citing United States v. Wood, 299 U.S. 123, 133 (1936)). "A juror is found by the judge
to be partial either because the juror admits partiality, or the judge finds actual partiality
38
EFTA00155945
based upon the juror's voir dire answers." Id. (citing United States v. Haynes, 398 F.2d
980, 984 (2d Cir. 1968) (actual bias is "based upon express proof, e.g., by a voir dire
admission by the prospective juror of a state of mind prejudicial to a party's interest");
Rosales-Lopez v. United States, 451 U.S. 182, 188 (1981) (plurality opinion) ("Without
an adequate voir dire the trial judge's responsibility to remove prospective jurors who
will not be able impartially to follow the court's instructions and evaluate the evidence
cannot be fulfilled.")).
This Court need not decide whether Juror No. 50 was actually biased, since this
Court can and should imply and infer bias. Assuming this Court holds an evidentiary
hearing at which Juror No. 50 is compelled to give truthful answers to the questions he
would have been asked if he had not falsely responded to the questionnaire, Ms. Maxwell
reserves the right to argue that Juror No. 50 was actually biased.
C. Juror No. 50's answers to Questions 25 and 48 were intentionally false.
Ms. Maxwell does not need to prove that Juror No. 50's voir dire answers were
intentionally false. As explained above, she need only prove "first, that the juror's voir
dire response was false and second, that the correct response would have provided a valid
basis for a challenge for cause." Stewart, 433 F.3d at 303. Nevertheless, assuming this
Court concludes that Ms. Maxwell must prove Juror No. 50 intentionally misled the
Court in falsely answering Questions 25 and 48, Ms. Maxwell has easily met that burden.
There are at least six reasons to believe Juror No. 50 acted intentionally. First, this
Court need only watch the video of Juror No. 50 being confronted with his false answers
to appreciate that he acted intentionally. Juror No. 50's face immediately flushed and
39
EFTA00155946
turned red, and he grasped for words when the Daily Mail reporter told him about
Question 48. "Interesting," Juror No. 50 said, struggling for an explanation. Unable to
credibly explain away his false answer, Juror No. 50 eventually put together a
nonsensical response: "No, No! I know my face is red because I can feel the blood but, I
honestly—that's why I answered it that way."
Second, Juror No. 50's attempt to justify his false answer by claiming he "flew
through" the questionnaire is not worthy of belief. The questionnaire instructed potential
jurors to "carefully" compete it. No time limitation was imposed for completion of the
questionnaire. It emphasized that only the parties and the Court would know the identities
of the jurors. It advised that there are no "right or wrong" answers, "only truthful
answers." And it assured jurors that their privacy would be respected and that if an
answer to any question was embarrassing or caused the juror particular concern, they
could alert the Court. The Court must presume Juror No. 50 heeded these instructions.
Indeed, there is compelling evidence that Juror No. 50 carefully followed these
instructions and did not "fly through" the questionnaire, as he now claims
Third, it is simply not credible that Juror No. 50
40
EFTA00155947
Ex. 1, p 3 ("The purpose of this questionnaire is to determine
whether prospective jurors can decide this case impartially based upon the evidence
presented at trial and the legal instructions given by the presiding judge."). The
questionnaire also told potential jurors that it would ask personal questions. Id.
("Although some of the questions may appear to be of a personal nature, please
understand that the Court and the parties must learn enough information about each
juror's background and experience to select a fair and impartial jury.").
Fourth, Juror No. 50's post-verdict conduct shows his false answers to the
questionnaire were intentional. Juror No. 50 went on a media press to promote himself,
his experience as a victim, and his role on the jury. He has given multiple interviews to
41
EFTA00155948
several different news outlets (some of which he was likely paid for) 14, and he sat for an
interview as part of an hour-long "documentary" called "Ghislaine, Prince Andrew and
the Paedophile," which aired on the British channel ITV. He has engaged on Twitter with
the journalist who wrote about him, and he has communicated directly wit
■
See Ashfar, 196 A.3d at 95-96 (relying on juror's post-trial conduct as a basis for
concluding juror was biased and new trial was required because juror falsely answered
material question during voir dire). Juror No. 50's publicity tour appears to have stopped
(at least temporarily) only because the government publicly filed a letter asking this
Court to inquire into Juror No. 50's truthfulness and suggesting that he needed a lawyer.
The clear message from the government to Juror No. 50 was to stop talking.I5
14 It is common for the British press to pay for crime victims' stories. See, e.g,
https://www.mirror.co.uk/sell-my-story/; https://trianglenews.co.uk/sell-my-story-to-the-
daily-maill; https://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/contactus/index.html
15 Juror No. 50 was clearly enjoying his fifteen minutes of fame in early January
2022, giving multiple interviews in which he congratulated himself as the person who
persuaded the other jurors to adopt his biased view of the evidence and to vote to convict
Ms. Maxwell.
The government recognized that Juror No. 50 had dug a very deep hole—a hole
that looked to be getting deeper. Without conferring as to either the submission of the
letter or any redactions, the government publicly filed Docket No. 568. This letter
communicated to Juror No. 50, and the media, that Juror No. 50 had done something
wrong, that his conduct would be subject to scrutiny, and that the conduct was serious
enough to warrant appointment of a lawyer, free of charge if necessary.
Had Ms. Maxwell been asked, she would have objected to the public filing of this
letter, which caused Juror No. 50 to delete his social media accounts and alerted Juror
No. 50 that he needed to stop giving media presentations and to work on his story.
The government knows how to file a letter under seal, and this Court's protocol
throughout this case has been for the parties to file letters or pleadings under restriction
with a conferral and briefing as to what portion of the document should be redacted. The
42
EFTA00155949
Fifth, Juror No. 50's false answer to question 48 was not a one-off mistake. He
also falsel answered uestion 25.
Finally, this case is not like other cases in which a juror may have given a false
answer to avoid embarrassment,. Juror No. 50 has spoken to numerous media outlets
about his service as a juror, has freely admitted that he is the victim of sexual abuse and
sexual assault, and has done the bare minimum to conceal his identity, allowing himself
to be identified by his first name while posing for pictures and being video recorded.
Juror No. 50 has not shunned the limelight. He has reveled in it.
D. Had Juror No. 50 answered Questions 25 and 48 truthfully, the parties
and the Court would have explored whether his other answers were
false.
Regardless of whether Juror No. 50's answers were intentional lies or inadvertent
misstatements, his false answers to Questions 25 and 48
At the October 21 hearing, this Court emphasized the importance of voir dire, and
it expressed confidence that it could "smoke out" jurors who did not tell the truth:
letter was written by the government with full knowledge that it would be published by
the media and effectively silence Juror No. 50. The submission of the letter was an end
run around this Court's orders regarding Local Rule 23.1 and Rule 3.6 of the Rules of
Professional Conduct.
43
EFTA00155950
I will individually, one-on-one, question[' the jurors, and with the parties
present, I feel confident that I can discern any clear dishonesty. This is not
just going to be a summary voir dire; it will be probing. . . . If a juror's going
to lie and be dishonest, we will smoke that out.
TR 10/21/2021, p 25-26. Because Juror No. 50 did not honestly answer these material
questions, however, the Court and the defense were not alerted to probe these issues and
instead relied on Juror No. 50's claim that he could be fair and impartial. In hindsight,
that claim is not credible.
This is not speculation. Rather, based on what Juror No. 50 has said to the media,
it's clear he was not fair and impartial because his personal experiences "prevent[ed] or
substantially impair[ed] the performance of his duties as a juror in accordance with his
instructions and his oath." Wainwright, 469 U.S. at 424. If Juror No. 50 had truthfully
disclosed that he was a victim of sexual assault and sexual abuse as a child, the Court and
parties would have probed, among other things, whether he was able (1) to assess the
credibility of alleged sex assault victim like all other witnesses; (2) to fairly evaluate the
testimony of Dr. Loftus; (3) to impartially assess Ms. Maxwell's defense that her
accusers' memories were unreliable and tainted by money and manipulation; and (4) set
aside his own traumatic experience when evaluating whether the government met its
burden of proof beyond a reasonable doubt.
Juror No. 50's failure to disclose that he was a victim of sexual abuse (Question
48) was further compounded by his failure to disclose that he was merely a victim of a
crime (Question 25). Disclosing that he was a crime victim would have invited inquiry
by counsel and the Court regarding the nature of the crime and would have provided a
44
EFTA00155951
basis for a cause challenge or a peremptory challenge. Juror No. 50's false answers to
both questions deprived the Court of any basis for any meaningful inquiry on a topic
bearing directly on his ability to serve impartially and the basis for a cause challenge
Truthful answers from Juror No. 50 would have led the Court and the parties to
probe much more deeply into his biases and prejudices, both known and unknown." Had
that happened, the record shows that he would have been removed as a potential juror.
16 Juror No. 50 continues his media exploits despite being the subject of this
Motion and represented by counsel. On January 18, 2022, he appeared in a documentary
produced by ITV. See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SvnwRuDfrdM at timestamps
01:53, 02:32, 04:10, 05:10, 34:36, 38:41, 39:15.
17 This foil w-u • I uestiontn• would not have been a mere formalit
45
EFTA00155952
E. Juror 50's material misstatements (and those of the second unidentified
juror) prevented Ms. Maxwell from exercising her peremptory
challenges, denying her a fair trial.
Proper voir dire plays a vital role in assuring a defendant's Sixth Amendment right
to an impartial jury. Without an adequate voir dire the trial judge's responsibility to
remove prospective jurors who may not be able impartially serve cannot be fulfilled.
"Similarly, lack of adequate voir dire impairs the defendant's right to exercise peremptory
challenges where provided by statute or rule, as it is in the federal courts." Rosales-Lopez
v. United States, 451 U.S. 182, 188 (1981) (citation omitted).
The role of peremptory challenges in a criminal trial cannot be overstated:
Peremptory challenges have been an integral aspect of criminal trial
procedure for over six hundred years and continue to be universally
employed throughout the country. The underlying thesis is that, with the
exception of challenges for cause, the suitability of a particular juror is
counsel's decision and not the court's. Consistent with that thesis and subject
to constitutional strictures, a peremptory challenge can rest on a good reason,
a bad reason, or no reason at all.
State v. Scher, 278 N.J. Super. 249, 263, 650 A.2d 1012, 1019 (App. Div. 1994)
(cleaned up).
Fed. R. Crim. P. 24 entitles a number of peremptory challenges to prospective
jurors. Here, Ms. Maxwell exercised all of her peremptory challenges and, whether for
cause or peremptory, would not have knowing allowed a juror who: (1) claimed to be a
victim of sexual abuse; or (2) neglected to disclose that the juror had been a victim of
sexual abuse; (3)
■
Had Juror 50 disclosed any of these issues, Ms. Maxwell would have used a
peremptory challenge against this juror and not as to any of the other remaining jurors.
46
EFTA00155953
As discussed in Murphy v. Nogam, No. CV 14-4268 (KM), 2018 WL 278735, at
*25 (D.N.J. Jan. 3, 2018), affd sub nom. Murphy v. Adm'r E. Jersey State Prison, No. 18-
2825, 2021 WL 2822179 (3d Cir. July 7, 2021), New Jersey courts have repeatedly
invalidated judgments where a juror's inaccurate answer to a question
propounded in the jury voir dire precluded a litigant from exercising a
peremptory challenge. State v. Scher, 278 N.J. Super. 249, 263
(App.Div.1994), cert. denied, 140 N.J. 276 (1995) (citing Wright v.
Bernstein, 23 N.J. 284 (1957); State v. Williams, 190 N.J.Super. 111 (App.
Div. 1983); State v. Thompson, 142 N.J. Super. 274 (App. Div. 1976)).
Of course, the material omissions by Juror 50 were not made in New Jersey. The
prejudice to Ms. Maxwell and the concept of fundamental fairness, however, are the same
regardless of which side of the Hudson the misstatements occurred. In a very close,
contested trial where the only real issue was the credibility of the accusers, the failure of
Juror 50 to disclose his claimed victim status in jury selection cheated Ms. Maxwell of
her ability to intelligently exercise her peremptory challenges and robbed her of a fair
trial. In this case truthful responses would have revealed Juror 50's claimed victim status.
He would have been excused for cause on that basis alone and would never answered any
questions in person.
Even if Juror 50 had claimed on the questionnaire that he could be fair, despite his
victim status, the result would have been the same. He would have been asked to describe
to the Court and the parties, under oath, what he claimed happened to him, when it
happened, the impact on him, and how he could still be fair. Had Juror 50 revealed to the
Court, as he did to the media, that he believed that his memory "was like a video" and
that he would advocate that the alleged victims here were credible, based on his own
47
EFTA00155954
experiences, he would have been excused, if not for cause, then as a defense peremptory
strike.
II. The scope of any evidentiary hearing
Ms. Maxwell does not believe an evidentiary hearing is required because the
undisputed evidence shows (1) that Juror No. 50 falsely answered a material question
during voir dire and (2) that, had he answered truthfully, he would have been subject to a
challenge for cause. If this Court disagrees, however, a formal evidentiary hearing is
appropriate.
When, as here, there is a plausible claim of juror misconduct, "an unflagging duty
falls to the district court to investigate the claim." United States v. French, 904 F.3d 111,
117 (1st Cir. 2018) (quotation omitted). "[A] formal evidentiary hearing [is] the gold
standard for an inquiry into alleged juror misconduct." United States v. French, 977 F.3d
114, 122 (1st Cir. 2020), cert. denied, 141 S. Ct. 2601 (2021), cert. denied sub nom.
Russell v. United States, 141 S. Ct. 2601 (2021).
A. Pre-hearing discovery
Ms. Maxwell requests that the Court authorize subpoenas to:
1.
Juror No. 50 to produce:
a. Emails or other written communications between Juror No. 50 and any
alleged victim or witness in this case;
b. Emails or other written communications between Juror No. 50 and any
other juror in this case:
48
EFTA00155955
c. Non-privileged emails or other written communications between Juror
No. 50 and any other person, including any news or media organization
about Juror No. 50's service as a juror in this case;
d. Any record of payments to Juror No. 50 in exchange for any interview
or information about his service as a juror in this case;
2.
Facebook, Twitter, Linkedln, Instagram, or other social media networking
platforms identified by the parties, to produce:
a. All communications to and from Juror No. 50 regarding his service as a
juror in this case;
b. All posts, comments, or photographs posted by Juror No. 50 regarding
his service as a juror in this case.
c. All documents reflecting dates on which Juror No. 50 opened or closed
his accounts.
B. The hearing itself
The misconduct identified potentially implicates all 12 jurors who rendered a
verdict here. According to Juror No. 50 and the New York Times, one other juror did not
disclose that he or she was the victim of sexual abuse as a child. Nevertheless, that juror's
experiences were discussed apparently in support of Juror No. 50's position. What these
two jurors disclosed to the (presumably) ten jurors who responded to the questionnaire
truthfully will be relevant to determine the identity of the second juror and what Juror No.
50 said to the other jurors.
49
EFTA00155956
Ms. Maxwell requests that any hearing begin with the questioning of Juror No. 50.
Ms. Maxwell requests that the Court first advise Juror No. 50 about the nature of the
hearing and then allow defense counsel to question Juror No. 50 followed by questioning
from the government, re-cross examination by defense counsel, followed by any
questions from the Court and any additional questions from counsel based on the Court's
questions.
If, after this examination further inquiry is required, Ms. Maxwell suggests that the
second juror be summoned to Court for an identical process. If necessary, this process
should be repeated as to all remaining jurors.
After the examination of the jurors the parties should be afforded a period of time
to conduct any further investigation warranted by the information presented at the hearing
followed by post-hearing arguments, either oral or written.
Federal Rule of Evidence 606(b) does not prohibit this inquiry, because Ms.
Maxwell does not seek to impeach the verdict based on the content of deliberations. Cf.
Fed. R. Evid. 606(b) (providing that, with certain exceptions, "a juror may not testify
about any statement made or incident that occurred during the jury's deliberations"
during "an inquiry into the validity of a verdict"). Instead, she intends to show that her
jury was not fair and impartial as required by the Sixth Amendment because at least two
jurors gave false answers during voir dire to material questions that, if answered
truthfully, would have subject them to a challenge for cause.
To the extent Rule 606 might apply to certain questions asked at the hearing, Ms.
Maxwell need not inquire into the content of deliberations to establish her jury bias
50
EFTA00155957
claim. See Cunningham v. Shoop,
F.4th _, 2022 WL 92594, at *14-15 (6th Cir. Nos.
11-3005/20-3429, Jan. 10, 2022) (granting habeas relief as to juror bias claim because it
is "possible for Cunningham to prove that [the juror] was actually biased without relying
on juror testimony in violation of Federal Rule of Evidence 606(b)"); compare Pena-
Rodriguez v. Colorado, 137 S. Ct. 855 (2017) ("Where a juror makes a clear statement
indicating that he or she relied on racial stereotypes or animus to convict a criminal
defendant, the Sixth Amendment requires that the no-impeachment rule give way in order
to permit the trial court to consider the evidence of the juror's statement and any resulting
denial of the jury trial guarantee."). Without relying on juror testimony, it is already clear
that Juror No. 50 did not truthfully answer the questionnaire; Juror No. 50 has publicly
admitted he is a victim of sexual assault and sexual abuse.
As for identifying the other juror who was also a victim of sexual assault and
abuse, the Court and parties can identify the juror without eliciting testimony about what
was said during deliberations. The remaining eleven jurors can be asked, under oath,
whether their answer to question 48 is correct and whether they have been a victim of
sexual assault or abuse. Presumably the second juror will self-identify.
III. Juror No. 50 has no right to intervene.
A. Juror No. 50 lacks standing.
Juror No. 50 seeks to intervene suggesting that "it is indisputable that precedent
supports intervention by interested third parties in criminal matters...." Memo. at 8. This
claim is not supported by "the long line of precedent hold[ing] that a non-party lacks a
judicially cognizable interest in a defendant's prosecution." United States v. Stoerr, 695
51
EFTA00155958
F.3d 271, 278 (3d Cir. 2012). Juror No. 50 is not a party here and there is no legal basis
for Juror No. 50 to intervene in this matter. This is not a request by a journalist to
intervene for public access. See United States v. Aref, 533 F.3d 72, 81 (2d Cir. 2008)
(motion to intervene to assert the public's First Amendment right of access to criminal
proceedings is proper). Nor is the request from a subpoena respondent. See United States
v. RMI Co., 599 F.2d 1183, 1186 (3d Cir. 1979) (persons affected by the disclosure of
allegedly privileged materials may intervene in pending criminal proceedings and seek
protective orders). Although Juror No. 50 has expressed a questionable interest in the
outcome of this case, that does not afford him standing to intervene. Notably, the Federal
Rules of Criminal Procedure make no reference to a motion to intervene in a criminal
case. This is a recognition of the general rule that "a private citizen lacks a judicially
cognizable interest in the prosecution or nonprosecution of another." Linda R.S. v.
Richard D., 410 U.S. 614, 619 (1973). And as one court has noted, "[e]ven crime victims,
who enjoy various statutory rights of participation, have no right to intervene in the
district court in a criminal case." United States v. Collins, 2013 WL 4780927, at *1 (ED.
Wis. 2013).
B. This Court should refuse Juror No. 50's discovery request because
Juror No. 50 is under investigation and the release of the information
requested would prejudice that investigation.
It is the conduct of Juror No. 50 that is under investigation here. Like many
suspects, Juror No. 50 would like to learn as much information about the investigation so
that he can tailor responses to any potential questions and change the focus of the
investigation. Once he was thoroughly tipped off by the government, Juror No. 50 has
52
EFTA00155959
sought to distance himself from his original statements, attempted to destroy evidence,
and tried to flee from the media.
Under analogous circumstances courts have refused discovery to individuals or
entities under investigation. See John Doe Agency v. John Doe Corp., 493 U.S. 146,
(1989) (recipient of a grand jury subpoena for certain records relating to a cost allocation
appropriately denied access to records pursuant to a FOIA request).
Any advance disclosure to Juror No. 50 of the questionnaire will undoubtably
color Juror No. 50's testimony and allow him to place himself in the best possible
posture. Although there may come a time when Juror No. 50 is entitled to this
discovery—if he is charged with perjury, criminal contempt, or some other crime, for
example—the time is not now.
C. Juror No. 50's filings should be stricken or, alternatively, remain under
seal.
Whether a claimant has standing is "the threshold question in every federal case,
determining the power of the court to entertain the suit." In re Gucci, 126 F.3d 380, 387-
88 (2d Cir. 1997) (citing Warth v. Seidin, 422 U.S. 490, 498, (1975)). Striking the
pleading of a putative litigant is appropriate where the litigant lacks standing. United
States v. All Right, Title & fm. in Prop., Appurtenances, & Improvements Known as 479
Tamarind Drive, Hallendale, Fla., No. 98 CIV. 2279 DLC, 2011 WL 1045095, at *2
(S.D.N.Y. Mar. 11, 2011). A stricken pleading is a nullity with no legal effect. Davis v.
Bombardier Recreational Prod., Inc., No. 3:11CV236-TSL-MTP, 2012 WL 112202, at
*3 (S.D. Miss. Jan. 12, 2012) (stricken amended complaint deemed a nullity and of
53
EFTA00155960
no legal effect). Although Rule 12(0 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure references
"pleadings," "a district court has the inherent power to strike a party's submissions other
than pleadings."Mazzeo v. Gibbons, No. 2:08-CV-01387-RLH-PA, 2010 WL 3910072,
at *3 (D. Nev. Sept. 30, 2010); see also Metzger v. Hussman, 682 F. Supp. 1109, 1110
(D. Nev. 1988) (motion to strike granted and motion in opposition not considered by the
court). This Court should strike all the filings made by Juror No. 50.
Alternatively, Ms. Maxwell requests that the "Memorandum of Law in Support of
Motion to Intervene and for Release of Sealed Jury Questionnaire and Transcript, on
Behalf of Proposed Intervenor, Juror 50" and its companion Motion remain under seal, at
least until a resolution of Ms. Maxwell's motion for new trial based on this Juror's failure
to answer truthfully during jury selection. Juror No. 50's Motion and accompanying
Memorandum are an attempt to obtain discovery by a non-party to this criminal case,
made by someone who lacks standing to participate in this prosecution. Accordingly,
these pleadings are not "judicial documents" and are afforded no presumption of public
access. United States v. Smith, 985 F. Supp. 2d 506, 519 (S.D.N.Y. 2013) ("experience
and logic show that there is no right of access to discovery materials"). See SEC v. The
Street Corn, 273 F.3d 222, 233 (2d Cir.2001) (rejecting claim that deposition testimony
became a "judicial document" "because the Court reviewed it in order to decide whether
or not to enter [a] protective order").
The fact that Juror No. 50 filed these pleadings does not make them "judicial
documents." United States v. Amodeo ("Amodeo I'), 44 F.3d 141, 145 (2d Cir. 1995)
("We think that the mere filing of a paper or document with the court is insufficient to
54
EFTA00155961
render that paper a judicial document subject to the right of public access. We think that
the item filed must be relevant to the performance of the judicial function and useful in
the judicial process in order for it to be designated a judicial document."). Moreover, if
stricken, the documents enjoy no presumption of public access. Brown v. Maxwell, 929
F.3d 41, 51-52 (2d Cir. 2019) ([under Civil Rule 12], "the district court may strike such
material from the filings on the grounds that it is "redundant, immaterial, impertinent, or
scandalous." Because such rejected or stricken material is not "relevant to the
performance of the judicial function" it would not be considered a "judicial document"
and would enjoy no presumption of public access.").
The Second Circuit established a framework in Lugosch v. Pyramid Co. of
Onondaga, 435 F.3d 110 (2d Cir. 2006) for courts to utilize in determining when the
public has a right of access to particular documents. The Court of Appeals held that
"[b]efore any such common law right can attach, however, a court must first conclude
that the documents at issue are indeed `judicial documents.' Lugosch, 435 F.3d at 119.
"Once the court has determined that the documents are judicial documents and that
therefore a common law presumption of access attaches, it must determine the weight of
that presumption." Id. "Finally, after determining the weight of the presumption of
access, the court must `balance competing considerations against it.' Id. at 120.
There exists no compelling reason to release Juror No. 50's pleadings. Any public
release of the documents will set off another round of publicity, speculation, and
commentary, all of which is prejudicial to the truth finding process and Ms. Maxwell's
rights to fair and impartial proceedings.
55
EFTA00155962
The submissions by Juror No. 50 have questionable merit, have not been ruled
upon, and implicate an ongoing investigation by the parties and the Court into juror
misconduct. Certainly, at least at this stage of the proceedings, the submissons are not
"judicial documents" and until the issues around Juror No. 50's motion for intervention
and discovery have been resolved they should remain sealed. If the Court believes Juror
No. 50's requests merit judicial document status the seal should remain. The requests
would be afforded the lowest presumption of public access and compelling reasons to
maintain the sealed status exist.
Juror No. 50 has demonstrated a lack of reliability and an appetite for publicity.
Should the documents be released the sotto voce comments regarding Juror No. 50's
intent, state of mind, and actions will be fodder for the media and may influence the
memories of other potential witnesses. Documents regularly remain sealed where public
release would "compromis[e] the interest in the integrity and security of [an]
investigation," In re Sealed Search Warrants Issued June 4 & 5, 2008, No. 08-M-208
(DRH), 2008 WI. 5667021, at *5 (N.D.N.Y. July 14, 2008).
Conclusion
The purpose of voir dire is "to expose bias or prejudice on the part of veniremen,"
and there "there must be sufficient information elicited on voir dire to permit a defendant
to intelligently exercise not only his challenges for cause, but also his peremptory
challenges." Barnes, 604 F.2d at 139. "Voir dire [thus] plays an essential role in
protecting the right to trial by an impartial jury." Daugerdas, 867 F. Supp. at at 468.
56
EFTA00155963
For its part, this Court expressed "confidence" that its voir dire process would
"smoke out" a juror who was dishonest. Ms. Maxwell relied on the Court's process. And
the Court and the parties relied on the presumption to which everyone is entitled: that
potential jurors would carefully and honestly engage in voir dire.
Unfortunately, we now know that Juror No. 50 (and at least one other juror) did
not honor their obligations to give "only truthful answers." Ex. 1, p 3. They are no longer
entitled to the presumption of honesty.
Because Ms. Maxwell's jury was not the fair and impartial one guaranteed her by
the United States Constitution, this Court should vacate the jury's verdict and order a new
trial. In the alternative, this Court should hold an evidentiary hearing and examine all
twelve jurors.
Dated: January 19, 2022
57
EFTA00155964
Respectfully submitted,
s/Jeffrey S. Pagliuca
Jeffrey S. Pagliuca
Laura A. Menninger
Christian R. Everdell
Bobbi C. Sternheim
Sternheim
Attorneys for Ghislain Maxwell
58
EFTA00155965
Certificate of Service
I hereby certify that on January 19, 2022, I electronically filed the foregoing
Ohislaine Maxwell's Motion for a New Trial, with the Court and counsel for the
government:
U.S. Attorney's Office
SDNY One Saint Andrew's Plaza
New York. NY 10007
s/ Nicole Simmons
59
EFTA00155966