USA: Sex crimes trial against financier Epstein may not begin until June 2020

M/S Gloria Allred, Attorney representing the victims, leaving the hearing
M/S Allred speaking to the press
SOT, Gloria Allred, Attorney representing victims in Epstein's case: "It appears that Mr Epstein's trial will not take place until next year. There are a number of motions that have to be filed. The defence was indicating that it is going to make motions having to do with what they allege was a non-prosecution agreement and they also allege that there are complex constitutional issues involved in this case."
M/S Allred speaking to the press *CUTAWAY*
SOT, Gloria Allred, Attorney representing victims in Epstein's case: "That many persons who accuse rich powerful famous men are in fear that they could be harmed in some way. That would mean fear of physical harm, economic harm, reputational damage and, you know, emotional attacks by people they don't know, sometimes by people they do know. I'm not going to say whether this fear is justified, but definitely a lot of accusers have that fear."
M/S Policeman outside court *CUTAWAY*
SOT, Gloria Allred, Attorney representing victims in Epstein's case: "I would conclude from that the defence really does want more time. It's not an argument that the defence wants to delay it, without a basis for it, his attorneys want to be prepared. I mean, Mr Epstein, if convicted, could face the rest of his life in prison, that's possible. So, they want to make sure they're prepared. And my sense it is that it's likely that the defence has discussed it with Mr Epstein the length of time they would need to prepare for this trial and he has agreed with that or the defence would not be seeking those extra months to prepare."
M/S Policeman outside Manhattan federal court, New York
SCRIPT
Lawyer Gloria Allred, who's representing a number of women in a sex crimes case against financier Jeffrey Epstein, confirmed the trial may not take place until June 2020. She was speaking to the press outside a Manhattan federal court in New York on Wednesday.
The attorney stressed that the delay is due to a number of motions needing to be filed following alleged constitutional issues and a non-prosecution agreement.
"Mr Epstein, if convicted, could face the rest of his life in prison, that's possible. So, they want to make sure they're prepared," she explained.
Epstein, who is accused of sexually abusing dozens of underage girls from 2002 to 2005, plead not guilty to charges of sex trafficking conspiracy and sex trafficking, earlier this month.
He was found semi-conscious and with marks on his neck on the floor of his cell last week, but it's not yet clear whether he staged a suicide attempt, attempted to commit suicide or was assaulted by another inmate.