Irish Examiner view: Moment of destiny for Ghislaine Maxwell

The world is watching the outcome of the British socialite's trial on sex-trafficking charges in New York 

An undated photo of Ghislaine Maxwell with financier Jeffrey Epstein, who died in prison while awaiting trial, which was shown to the court during Ms Maxwell's sex-trafficking trial. Picture: US Department of Justice

Given the predilection in the US for dramatic courtroom battles with multiple twists and turns, the prosecution of Ghislaine Maxwell has fallen short of some of its predecessors and its initially hyperbolic billing as “the trial of the century”. 

Partly, this is attributable to the paucity of fireworks from the defence. Few witnesses were called. Maxwell declined to testify, telling the judge: “Your honour, the government has not proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt so there is no reason for me to testify.”