Victim Allocutions at Post-Death Hearing

VICTIM ALLOCUTION HEARING — UNPRECEDENTED PROCEEDING Case: United States v. Jeffrey Edward Epstein, No. 19-cr-490 (S.D.N.Y.) Judge: Richard M. Berman Date: August 27, 2019 Location: Daniel Patrick Moynihan U.S. Courthouse, New York BACKGROUND: Following Jeffrey Epstein's death on August 10, 2019, Judge Richard M. Berman took the extraordinary step of holding a public hearing to allow victims to deliver statements even though the criminal case could not proceed to trial. This was an unprecedented action — courts typically dismiss cases upon a defendant's death without further proceedings. PROCEEDINGS: Approximately 23 women addressed the court over the course of the hearing. Their statements included: COURTNEY WILD: "He robbed me of my dreams, of my chance at any kind of normalcy. Jeffrey Epstein was a coward. He did not face his survivors." VIRGINIA GIUFFRE: "I was recruited, abused, and trafficked by Jeffrey Epstein's sick operation... My hope is that the prosecutors and judges here today will continue to pursue justice on behalf of all of his victims." CHAUNTAE DAVIES: "Jeffrey Epstein was the most prolific pedophile this country has ever known... The ripple effects of his abuse have had a devastating impact on my life." ADDITIONAL VICTIMS provided testimony describing: - Being recruited as teenagers through false promises - Sexual abuse at Epstein's multiple properties - The lasting psychological and emotional impact of the abuse - Frustration with the criminal justice system's previous failures - Calls for continued investigation of co-conspirators JUDGE BERMAN'S STATEMENT: Judge Berman stated that the victims had a right to be heard and that the hearing served the interests of justice. He noted the "unimaginable" experiences described and acknowledged the victims' bravery. Source: SDNY Court Records / Public Hearing Transcript Available at: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/16797028/united-states-v-epstein/