By Luc Cohen

NEW YORK, (Reuters) – Ghislaine Maxill’s defence will begin to present its case at the British socialite’s sex abuse trial. The jury has heard from four women that Maxwell claimed she groomed for Jeffrey Epstein abuse as teenagers.

Maxwell, aged 59, pleaded guilty to eight charges of sextrafficking and other criminal offenses. Maxwell’s attorneys say she is made a victim of the alleged misconduct by Epstein, the financier who died. Epstein, who was awaiting trial for sex abuse allegations in Manhattan, committed suicide while in Manhattan prison cell.

Maxwell’s legal team will likely continue to attempt to subvert her credibility.

Maxwell, who is charged with setting up the girls for abuse in 1994-2004. Defense plans to summon Elizabeth Loftus (psychologist who studies the effects of time on people’s memories), as an expert witness. Loftus is a former witness or consultant in hundreds of cases, including O.J. Simpson’s.

Defense is seeking to hear testimony from attorneys who assisted the victims in submitting claims to Epstein’s victim’s compensation fund. Maxwell’s lawyers claimed the women cooperated because they believed it would help their civil claims.

On Wednesday, the prosecution asked U.S. District Judge Alison Nathan not to allow lawyers to testify, invoking attorney-client privilege.

Last Friday, the prosecution resigned.

Following a three-day break Nathan was present at her U.S. Senate confirmation hearing to secure a place on the New York-based U.S. 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Nathan declared that, after President Joe Biden nominated her, she would see to the Maxwell trial’s completion.