The DOJ has begun petitioning federal judges to release Epstein grand jury records, so far to no avail. Judge Engelmayer in the S.D.N.Y. is one who recently
denied a request, finding that "The Justice Department’s “entire premise—that the Maxwell grand jury materials would bring to light meaningful new information about Epstein’s and Maxwell’s crimes, or the Government’s investigation into them—is demonstrably false.” Engelmayer is a 2011 Obama appointee and, from his
record, an intelligent and conscientious judge in the old-fashioned liberal line, with a strong traditional focus on the Bill of Rights.
1 comment:
I don't entirely disagree with the judge on this one. Grand Jury transcripts should be secret until the relevant public trial, in order to protect the innocent who might appear in the transcripts and to protect the seemingly sleazy but uncharged who might appear.
Releasing them because somebody finds it convenient to have them public--even for otherwise apparently sound convenience, here to lay to rest (or confirm) a variety of conspiracy theories regarding matters Epstein--isn't sufficient reason.
Aside from that, I understand there are some cases still at least nominally in progress that could be jeopardized by their release.
Eric Hines
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