Jury selection underway in federal sex trafficking trial of Ghislaine Maxwell

Jury selection began Monday in the federal criminal trial of Ghislaine Maxwell, the former girlfriend and associate of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, who died while behind bars.

According to The Hill, U.S. District Judge Alison Nathan will oversee the task of questioning over more than 230 potential candidates with the goal of empaneling 12 jurors and six alternates. 

The jury pool was narrowed down last month from 600 to 231 after potential jurors filled out a questionnaire asking them if they have a conflict of interest or if they have a particular bias towards a specific outcome of the trial.

Jury selection is now open to the press following a ruling from Nathan granting the public access to the selection, despite objections from the defense.

"We’re all aware that there’s been intense media and public interest in this case. ... These procedures will ensure the First Amendment rights to public access, as is necessary and required by law," she said during her ruling.

Maxwell is accused of allegedly engaging in the sex trafficking of minors for Epstein. She pleaded not guilty to all the charges back in April. 

Opening arguments are set to begin Nov. 29.