Does the drug death of key prosecution witness and Jeffrey Epstein victim Carolyn Adriano boost Ghislaine Maxwell’s hopes of walking free?
- Former socialite, 61, is currently appealing her sentence of 20 years in prison
Jailed Ghislaine Maxwell believes the drug death of a key prosecution witness ‘significantly’ increases her chances of walking free, sources claim.
The former socialite, 61, who has spent 20 years in a US prison after being convicted on sex trafficking charges, is currently appealing her sentence.
Earlier this month it emerged that one of the four victims who testified against her in court, mother-of-five Carolyn Andriano, had died of a drug overdose in a Florida hotel room.
The 36-year-old overdosed on fentanyl and prescription drugs in May, but her death was only made public in recent days.
She claimed to be drug-free when she testified at Maxwell’s 2021 criminal trial.
The former socialite, 61, who is serving 20 years in a US prison after being convicted of sex trafficking charges, is currently appealing her sentence
A source said: ‘Carolyn’s death could be hugely significant because if Ghislaine is granted the right to a new trial, there will be a huge legal argument over whether Carolyn’s previous testimony is admissible. This has significantly increased Ghislaine’s chances of gaining her freedom.”
While Ms. Andriano took the stand anonymously — giving powerful testimony that she was groomed by Maxwell at age 14 and abused more than 100 times by pedophile Jeffrey Epstein — she waived her anonymity in an interview with the Daily after the case Mail.
She claimed that Prince Andrew’s accuser Virginia Roberts told her about the alleged sexual encounter at the time and showed her the infamous photo of the couple in Maxwell’s London home.
Mother-of-five Carolyn Andriano claimed Prince Andrew’s accuser Virginia Roberts told her about the alleged sexual encounter at the time, and showed her this infamous photo of the pair at Maxwell’s London home.
Andrew reportedly reached a $12 million (£10 million) out-of-court settlement with Ms Roberts in a US civil case but did not admit liability. He has repeatedly and strongly denied all charges against him.
Maxwell’s lawyers will try to profit from Ms Andriano’s death when her appeal comes to court, which could be as early as December.
The source added: “There is no doubt that Carolyn has had a tragic life. She was abused by Epstein and other men. Her drug use could become a major problem. She claimed to be sober when she gave evidence. It is significant because at least one of the jurors said her testimony convinced them to convict Ghislaine.”