So what? What about the young girls nobody watched? Karma.
1
In 1973, 20y/o college dropout Jeffrey Epstein was hired by current AG Wm Barr's father Donald Barr, then headmaster at Manhattan's Dalton School. Barr oddly hired Epstein, though he had NO CREDENTIALS to be a teacher. Soon Epstein was fired under accusations, and Donald Barr left under conflict. (In 1973 Donald Barr published a sci-fi novel about sexual slavery: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2986183-space-relations ).
Epstein sought the rich/powerful, and trafficked children for sex. He held secrets to possibly expose Donald Barr, Donald trump, a British Royal Prince, governors, the head of Victoria's Secrets, ... hundreds!
In 2003 trump praised Epstein, “He’s a lot of fun to be with. It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side. No doubt about it". Videos show trump and Epstein with young scantily clad girls.
In 2008 Epstein was convicted as a sex offender for sex-trafficking children. Powerful people helped Epstein get an illegal sweetheart deal from prosecutor Alex Acosta. trump rewarded Acosta with a Labor Secretary job. https://hillreporter.com/the-ties-that-bind-jeffrey-epstein-william-barr-donald-trump-34107
In 2018 trump made Barr his AG, after he theorized in a legal memo that sitting presidents are above scrutiny/the law.
Barr's ties to Epstein disqualify him for the case, yet he remains to protect trump.
And now Epstein dies suspiciously, under DOJ/Barr's "protection".
A corrupt government!
10
Clinton, not Trump, rode on Epstein’s private jet 26 times, according to the flight logs. He was far far closer to Epstein than Trump was.
4
Remember when the policemen left the Marlon Brando, the Godfather, alone in his hospital room? This is fuel for conspiratorial musing.
1
What if he isn't dead, but we've seen him for the last time?
2
These are facts: Epstein was a known serious suicide risk; the warren and guards did not follow prison policy; Barr and the justice department are responsible for the Bureau of Prisons; Barr has already shown himself to be very biased in favour of protecting Trump (misrepresenting the Mueller report, lying to congress, ignoring subpoenas, etc); he has a history of skirting the law while in the AG role (Bush 41). One would be forgiven for considering whether there is complicity. A thorough, unbiased investigation is essential.
4
Warden at W.Va. prison where Bulger was killed is retiring
J. Ray Ormond Northeast Director and former Mid Atlantic Director of BOP is the common denominator in BOTH Deaths of Bulger and Epstein. Just Naming Names AG Barr, in case you think people are really, really stupid.
February 7, 2019
BRUCETON MILLS, W.Va. (AP) — The warden at a federal prison in West Virginia where Boston gangster Whitey Bulger was killed says he’s retiring at the end of next month.
The Dominion Post reports U.S. Penitentiary at Hazelton warden Joe Coakley announced his retirement Tuesday. Coakley served as the prison’s warden since March 2016.
Why does the media (I'm looking at you, NYT) blindly accept the fact that Epstein is dead? Have you seen the body? Are there any pictures? How about the security cams in the jail? Who will be in the room when the autopsy is done?
We are dealing with unscrupulous people with a lot to lose and unlimited funds at their disposal. There are many possibilities of what happened, and I don't trust anyone involved to tell us the truth. #showusthebody
4
J. Ray Ormond, Director, Northeast BOP. We offer involuntary "Warden Assisted Suicide" programs in exchange for bonus payments to My Wardens. Act now and I will personally throw in a "we are understaffed, barely credible alibi" offer you Whitey Bulger and Jeffrey Epstein for examples of my excellent handiwork.
2
Did he get a Psychiatrist evaluation before he was taken off suicdal precautions? Did the jail have any Psychiatrist on staff? Was he seen only by a Psychologist?
I’m retired from corrections. It was not uncommon to place a suicidal inmate on a “one on one” suicide watch. One officer was dedicated to directly observe a single inmate until properly relieved. We never had a successful suicide when this tactic was employed. There were suicides when lesser levels of observation were employed. I find it hard to fathom that the Federal Bureau of Prisons was unwilling or unable to fund an appropriate level of security to keep Mr. Epstein alive.
5
Epstein dead, problem solved for a number of high profile (trump included) people. Who will pay for his crimes? All low level nobodies, the flunkies, the pimps, the procurers, the jail guards, no one of any consequence. His vast estate will be distributed among those in the civil suits and the lawyers, especially the lawyers. And that will be the end of it because Barr's ( who should recuse himself for obvious reasons) investigations will go no where.
6
@paco diablo right...the lawyers, lawyers, lawyers
Am I alone in wondering if Epstein actually died? With his vast wealth and those all-day meetings with his lawyers, he could have been cooking up a plan to have himself wheeled out of there "unconscious." Everybody has their price.
5
Let'sl have the names of all involved in this "negligence". Something is dark and dirty here. Prison guards paid off to get rid of the creep but potentially valuable witness
9
With his suicide this guy has saved the government and taxpayers many hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal costs and prison costs, health care in old age, etc.
And people are angry about that?
1
The fish are saying something stinks of human here..
3
This occurred under Trumps watch. He needs to back off and take responsibility.
22
@Bill
Sure, that will happen. Ha. Have you ever heard of Trump taking responsibility? Come on make a list. Anybody?
5
@Bill
Which is why he is already spreading lies that the Clinton's had something to do with it. He's got to make sure no one blames him.
14
@Louise:
The guilty, like trump, easily cast blame on others.
This is the second time the DOJ is having to concoct excuses for Justice Department mishandling of Epstein. The first being the silent plea-deal sleight of hand that allowed Epstein to escape charges of molestation, a secret deal guarded no less tightly then Fort Knox.
So if they could remain vigilant over a plea arrangement, walling it up, why couldn't federal prosecutors do the same for Epstein's body?
What is a two-for-one special costing these days over at justice? Heck, we already knew A.G. William Barr was for sale to one billionaire New Yorker, in exchange for a job. What price for Epstein?
79
@Peggy Rogers Re:'Mishandling of Epstein' Yes, I'll say, but I would not characterize this willful mismanagement as 'mishandling' or 'bungling'. If the powers-that-be had a duty to protect any prisoner, and, in this one case, failed to protect a man who had intel on the crimes of many of our leaders, neglected that duty, then someone(s) more than likely conspired - yes conspired - to allow or abet this suicide.
20
@Peggy Rogers-It's at least the "third pass" A.G. Barr granted Epstein:
Jeffrey Epstein Plea Deal Must Stand, (Federal) Prosecutors Tell Sex Abuse Victims
https://www.miamiherald.com/news/state/florida/article231916968.html
1
@Ann
You're right, I guess I'd be safest to go with: It is -- at least -- the "third violation" of justice and law in Epstein Affair. It's getting so I can't keep count of the official offenses in this case. Or those offenses committed generally by William Barr in his short, nasty tenure as the highest law enforcement authority (don't make me laugh) in the land.
The Epstein-Barr Syndrome: where someone is put into the custody of someone who might desperately want to see him dead.
5
Today Donnie tweeted that he "found a note from Epstein that blamed the Clintons for everything."
Maybe this was intentional, dead men don't talk.
2
50 years ago a body was whisked away without a autopsy from Martha's Vineyard. Don't think for a New York second that it couldn't happen again. Whether you are a Senator from Mass, such as Edward Kennedy was, or a former President of The United States of America...........
3
@Tony:
Or donnie trump the current president of the United States of America,.......
Or Donald Barr, the father of the current Attorney General of the United States William Barr, under whose watch Jeffrey Epstein was kept, and very suspiciously & conveniently died........ (In 1973 Donald Barr hired 20 year old college dropout Jeffrey Epstein to be a teacher at the posh Manhattan Dalton school, when Epstein had NO teaching credentials; soon both Epstein and Barr left/were fired from the school under accusations)..... so William Barr has much to protect about his father............. who was told Epstein was "soliciting" girls at the school!
Or a simple prosecutor in Florida Alex Acosta who gave an illegal but sweetheard deal to Jeffrey Epstein for sex-trafficking of children (girls)........... and then Acosta was awarded by trump with his Labor Secretary job.................
trump and his people are corrupt criminals!
trump is also a sexual predator, with much to hide!
As a 81 year old lifelong democrat who has lost all confidence or trust in our elected officials , I find it very telling that after over 48 hours since Epstein was found dead I have not heard or read any comments from our elected Democrats expressing outrage and disbelief over this situation , except to defend Clinton .
We should not be calling Washington a swamp , it is insulting to the creatures that live there , it is a stinking cesspool and it is much bigger and deeper than we will ever know.
9
Whether or not Epstein's passing was murder, almost everyone in the country thinks it was, which is almost as good a story.
1
What do you get when you combine a criminal mastermind and a law degree? William Barr. He lied to congress during his first AG stint. He lied to America, and congress, about Mueller's report. And, on his watch, the most important and notorious inmate in the past 30 years died on his watch, in his jail. Indeed, Criminal Trump got his Roy Cohn and more.
7
As if anyone needs at least 31 minutes to hang themselves...
(red herring alert)
Barr will kill this. The whole thing sounds like a hit job in a Putin prison. Blame some low level guards...bwahahahah. This is the stuff of mystery novels. With serious and numerous contacts between Epstein and Trump as well as other VIP's the case will putter through the news and tabloids for decades. Barr, the illusionist, says he will look into this! No serious person trusts Barr to reveal the truth after his recent AG performance. He will be more likely to cause a blue smoke and mirrors distraction with a slight of hand muddling the facts to Trump's advantage. We will now never know what randy GOP men and Trump really did here. This will be about Hillary to the Trump trolls. Maybe there will be some emails for Barr to find. Barr will give a FOX interview. Tucker will find some odd link to the Clinton Foundation. The whole thing will read like a penny dreadful.
4
Why on earth does the headline call it a "jail suicide" when the whole point of the story is that no one saw what happened and there are at least two separate investigations aimed at finding out? This is horrible journalism. If the NY Times knows that it was a "jail suicide," then I hope they tell the authorities so we can be spared the expense of the investigations.
6
If you ask any New Yorker of a certain age how a despised criminal, and a potential key witness, could die in prison\police custody, they will all say: Abe Reles. Reles, posthumously called “The canary who could sing but couldn’t fly,”. Was seemingly defenestrated from a window at the Half Moon Hotel, despite being guarded by 18 police officers, two of whom were on the door and assigned to check on him regularly. Death was ruled accidental or suicide. Sound familiar?
https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/canary-couldn-fly-abe-reles-murder-incorporated-article-1.794685
3
Epstein - a coward all the way to the end. There is lots of talk about him taking the easy way out but come on - he´s dead. Died a lonely, miserable death without any one around. Isn´t that something all of us spend our lifes trying to avoid?
It takes a white billionaire/millionaire to die in prison to get Bill Barr’s attention about “irregularities” in Federal incarnation outposts.
If Whitey Bulger has been a big time GOP contributor Barr would have been similarly upset.
Yes, prisons are disgracefully underfunded and personnel underpaid. How does this explain why there was not another inmate in the cell with him? I heard the attorney for the prisoner who was also in Epstein’s cell say that his client had saved Epstein’s life by calling the guards when he previously attempted suicide. Can this cost more? And surprise, surprise, I heard yesterday that the rumor is that the security camera(s) that would have captured Epstein’s area are broken.
I’m sorry, but there are just too many inexplicable mistakes.
2
Follow the prison guards’/wardens’ deposits. This travesty did not happen without incentive.
2
The Attorney General is claiming that Epstein wasn't closely guarded. With a high profile prisoner of such ill-repute, and so much attention being paid to him, wouldn't it be prudent to add people, or adjust shifts, shoring up the guard operation just to protect the system from going awry. This was in no way a suicide.
The first episode was staged to make it look like suicide. He was found unresponsive in the fetal position on the floor of a cell he shared. Epstein was likely drugged in his immediately prior meal and whomever was assigned to strangle him did so, just enough to make it look serious. Then placed on suicide watch after (N.B.: why was it never revealed how he did it, materials he used to accomplish this first one) briefly, to make it look as if the prison system was doing its appointed job.
Removed from watch just in time to kill him after the Florida case dumped thousands of pages on the courts, this suicide smells to high heaven and is extremely suspect.
Epstein-Barr have a long history.
Sorry. Not buying any of the nonsense we're being asked to swallow. Not a single word.
3
Federal prisons are understaffed? What a shock!
A lot of well-connected men are breathing a sigh of relief that Jeffrey Epstein won't be outing them over their participation in the trafficking of young girls for sex. The idea that it was just a failure to follow protocol or simple negligence that Epstein was left alone after attempting suicide is as believable as the Saudi denials that they knew anything about the disappearance of Jamal Khashoggi.
1
Remember, this is America, where the odds of finding out the truth are the same as winning Lotto.
4
Somewhere in Manhattan, a prison guard is driving a new Cadillac and is celebrating the fact that he or she is no longer in mortgage or credit card debt...
3
Who still says Epstein killed himself, other than those directly and immediately responsible for making sure he didn't?
I can't remember any incident that provoked such near-universal disbelief in an official statement of the government of the United State of America.
Even Cheney's Great WMD Lie was swallowed whole by most of Washington and the major press outlets.
Only a guess here, but I'll bet more adult Americans believe in Santa Claus and the Tooth Fairy than believe the government's claim that this was suicide.
5
I simply cannot understand why Trump is re-tweeting conspiracy theories and Barr is launching an investigation.
Given the accusations against Trump, you would think they'd want to stay as far away from this as possible. Let it doe down and hopefully people will forget about it.
But no, they have to poke the bear.
I hope the woman who accused Trump of raping her comes back to the fore with her complaint. The people giving her death threats were Epstein's PIs, so she doesn't need to worry about them anymore.
What is truly sad is the fact that so many people are willing to believe it was foul play. After two and a half years of this presidency, which is buried in an avalanche of lies, no one is able to mount a convincing defense that Epstein’s death was surely a suicide. We have seen too much corruption coming from the WH to retain our innocence.
Truly, what have we become?
2
Let's review the situation.
A series of unusual factors occurred: 1) Epstein was taken off suicide watch about two weeks after possibly attempting suicide; 2) There was no video surveillance of his cell; 3) He was not assigned a new cellmate; 4) Guards did not check on him during the hours before his death.
As well, Donald Trump is on record admiring leaders who murder their own citizens -- like Putin, Kim, MBS, and Duterte.
I'm not saying Trump did it, but if anyone had both the motive (benefits from Epstein's silence) and opportunity (is boss of the Justice Department and federal prisons) to kill Epstein, it's Trump.
1
How does one "apparently "hang oneself? With what? As a man who was a suicide risk did he have a belt and shoe laces?
Surely this information can be released to the public.
6
How odd that a photographer "happened" to be present early Saturday morning as Epstein's body was wheeled out of the facility. How odd that his face was permitted to show, not covered up. How odd that the coroner is awaiting "further information" before she can release the results of the autopsy. Lots of oddness going on.
6
WHY is William Barr still the Attorney General? If he couldn't even manage to keep the most important defendant in DOJ custody alive for trial, that speaks to gross incompetence.
3
Is Barr going to pursue and promote the conspiracy theory on alleged Clinton involvement? -- given his partisan behavior to date, it would not be surprising -- disgusting, but not surprising.
1
I will take the devil's advocate signage here, But how do we know he is dead? Maybe presently having a life hidden away, the man and what he knew and who he associated with are just open to this possibility.
5
Why is blackmail never mentioned? According to one at least one victim Maxwell and Epstein wanted to know the sexual preferences of the other pedophiles. When will Maxwell and others who managed Epstein's affairs be charged? His death does not exonerate them or protect those men who participated in his diabolical behavior. Stating viewing a pool full of teenage girls and underage girls following Epstein around in public is beyond comprehension, flaunting his preferences, others overlooking it is sick.
This will prove to be a state assisted suicide. After all, once Epstein is dead, what can be done. The answer is nothing. Epstein's highly placed friends made sure he was taken care of so he (and they) would never have to face justice.
4
Why wasn't he monitored? Who gained if he killed himself?
I'm not usually a conspiracist, but when dump points to the Clintons, I look for a more obvious party - dump and his friends in the administration who have control of all the levers of power to ensure that Epstein had the opportunity, may be even the encouragement to kill himself - if he did kill himself willings and was not nudged into doing so by drugs or threats.
When these possessors of ill-gotten gains, like Epstein, the Sacklers, Alice Walton—when they build art museums and give to esteemed universities (the shiny esteem of which is tarnishing these days—not only ivy crawls on those towers now) they are not "giving back."
They are trying to gain status, and acceptance, and admiration, in spite of their moral turpitude and criminal theft of labor, souls, and bodies.
2
NYT, please make up your mind whether you are trying to douse the conspiracy theories surrounding Epstein's death or are trying to keep them alive.
It sounds to me like Epstein seized his chance to commit suicide when he saw that he could, because he wasn't being monitored all the time, for whatever set of reasons. He took the easy way out. Unsurprising. He must have seen the writing on the wall that no one -even his old pal Donald Trump - would be able to get him off this time. Clearly the investigation is not going to just disappear with his demise. Let's hope that the only person he saved was himself.
We need to stop calling this a suicide. This is a murder and many are complicit, perhaps even (likely even) the president of the United States. There is zero possibility for someone in prison under this much scrutiny to have been able to commit suicide without help. He died, it is a death. But, the media using "suicide" is not accurate unless you can prove that, which is unlikely.
4
the Executive Branch of our government was in charge of keeping this man safe from himself and others. they failed. why? starting at the top(ie Trump), who are the responsible persons, naming the persons all the way down to the lowest persons in the chain of command.
this all stinks and reeks of criminal negligence at the very least.
2
check the bank accounts of the guards who were supposed to check on Epstein. I'm thinking that eventually a lot of money is going to be found in their savings accounts. this stinks to high heaven!
1
“In politics, nothing happens by accident. If it happens, you can bet it was planned that way.” - Franklin D. Roosevelt
5
President Trump might have been a real man if he didn’t use churlish language, name calling and wasn’t an incurable liar. But no, being a decent person is something he doesn’t know. In fact swearing and using God’s name in vain is his frequent metier.
Implying Clinton might have arranged Epstein’s death, with not one shred of evidence, was a childish
thing for Trump to do because instead it casts a shadow of guilt on him just for dreaming up such an obscenity.
3
Can't help but feel sorry for the upset this ... lapse has caused AG Barr. You will recall his earlier remarks about he himself not being so far away from his own life's end.
Conspiracy theory or not, we can all rest easy because Roy Cohn aka AG William Barr is on the case. He will find some low level federal employee of the jail to be the fall guy for whatever happen.
He will guard his "investigation" just so, so that the names of people who do not want to be named will ever see the light of day.
Why? Because his number 1 job is to protect Donald J. Trump, the individual. Second comes protecting Donald J. trump as President.
Truth and justice are NOT included in that protection order for Donald.
4
@Elizabeth:
Actually WIlliam Barr's number one job is to protect his father's name:
William Barr's father Donald Barr was the headmaster of Manhattan's Dalton private school in 1973. He then hired a 20 year old college dropout Jeffrey Epstein -- yes this same Jeffrey Epstein -- who had no teaching credentials. He was made a teacher, to teach both calculus and physics to young boys and girls.
Epstein was soon removed from his teaching post, and Donald Barr also left the school amid controversy. Complaints made to both Donald Barr and Dalton school officials said that Epstein, even at that early age, was trying to "solicit young girls" (his students) for sex.
Most interestingly, Donald Barr also published a rather unusual sci-fi novel in 1973, ABOUT SEXUAL SLAVERY: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2986183-space-relations
Epstein was convicted in 2008 of sex-trafficking of children (young girls), to the rich/powerful around the world. People reported that he also held young girls as sex slaves at his New Mexico ranch, wanting to impregnate them to "spread his DNA around the world".
Attorney General William Barr has much to protect about his father's reputation. It's not just Donald trump who's accused as a sexual predator, and is in videos with Jeffrey Epstein at his parties where he had young scantily clad girls.
Perhaps William Barr was first protecting his father's name, and then is boss's name -- both of whom knew Jeffrey Epstein very well.
Who in the world would trust AG Barr, #45's newfound personal lawyer and go-to boy, to conduct an honest investigation of this case? His entire presence here would presume a presidential coverup.
3
Despite all the accusations and political posturing over the suicide of a wealthy white man - would Bill Barr be investigating the death of a poor black man in prison? - the result is that the taxpayers have been saved from wasting many hundreds of thousands of dollars prosecuting, convicting, then protecting a man who was a detriment to society.
He declared himself guilty and justice was self-enforced. Good riddance.
I believe Epstein was too big of a narcissist to kill himself, although he has escaped punishment. We will never know what happened, it will be covered up by the attorney general.
2
This will undoubtedly come as a shock both to most readers and The New York Times itself, but the possible invasion of Hong Kong by China in the near future, the possible dissolution of the United Kingdom in the medium future, and the possible use of nuclear weapons in the medium future in another war between India and Pakistan are actually much more important than the latest bit of gossip, innuendo, lies, even facts in the never-ending Jeffrey Epstein soap opera.
2
I doubt very seriously this was a suicide. He knew a lot about very important and high powered individuals. Epstein's disdain for actually paying for his crimes, makes me think he was going to tell everything he knew in an attempt to avoid punishment.
1
So, all those young black people whose alleged "suicides" occur in police custody are all due to a lapse of monitoring by Trump's DOJ?
A curious footnote to the Epstein saga is that he was hired as a math teacher at New York's exclusive Dalton School (despite being a college dropout) by headmaster Donald Barr, the father of Attorney General William Barr.
1
If this is their overall defective protocol in practice there, then why are we even to believe he tried to commit suicide the first time? What incredible luck to be left alone in that cell with a cold blooded psycho ex-cop to save him the first time. This whole story stinks. Not unlike the Acosta prologue leading up to it. If it conveniently fades away (as Barr & Co. would like) then any principled, fearless journalism which we’ve taken for granted and relied on in the past, will finally be dead and buried also.
Why won't they say what he actually used to hang himself? I know it's kind of trivial, but my understanding is that laces and belts are not allowed in any type of prison cell.
1
I guess we're supposed to be angered by Epstein's suicide, but it doesn't bother me in the least. He subjected himself to capital punishment -- isn't that enough?
Attorney General William P. Barr said there were “serious irregularities” at the federal jail in Manhattan.
The first irregularity happened when Donald Barr, William P. Barr's father, hired Epstein to teach in a private School enven though Epstein had no teaching degree or experience. ''Irregularities'' have piled up from then on.
The last irregularity is the fact that William P. Barr is not recused from anything involved with his father's protégé.
2
Would anyone be remotely surprised if The Donald did him in? And then tweeted about conspiracies so we wouldn't think of his taxes, Russia, guns, racism, and the absolute rot of his horrifying powertrippy reign? For that is what it is. Republicans won't stand up against him. Apparently nobody with any power will. Just nobody bloggers like me.
http://www.thecriticalmom.com
1
Stop insulting our intelligence. This was the highest profile prisoner in the world. Someone didn't want this guy being watched.
3
Dear Mr. Barr
Forgive me my ignorance, I am not an attorney, I am puzzled. Perhaps outraged may be a better word, I meet your “appalled” and raise you.
I am wondering why we have yet to see a complete, detailed investigation into the 7 yes....7 deaths of children held in Federal Detention Facilities along the border, while in custody of the Federal Govt? Why have we not seen an investigation into the separation of children from their families, which is still going on, 1000+ since DT declared it over? All while under the custody of the Federal Govt? 7 deaths Mr. Barr and not a peep from you. Where is your concern and outrage? 7 Children Mr. Barr.
Your Boss,
An American Citizen
4
why all the theories? This is a quacking duck. period. He had the choice of being abused and killed after starting his sentence or taking the cowards way out, as those he could have exposed obviously arranged to allow.
Seriously, with all the other Trump stuff, can we just stop assuming we need to question the obvious? It an insult to our intelligence.
Who is the Jack Ruby of the Epstein Affair?
2
"Dr. Michael Baden, who was hired by Mr. Epstein’s lawyers, had observed the autopsy examination."
Who is Dr. Baden?
"He (Baden) was chairman of the House Select Committee on Assassinations' Forensic Pathology Panel that investigated the assassination of John F. Kennedy."
"He testified at the trial of O. J. Simpson"
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Baden
Well that should silence the "conspiracy theorists".
1
Wiliam Barr should never be trusted - neither in this case !
1
All prison officials linked to Epstein’s case need to have their bank accounts monitored closely since he was first brought into custody. I don't believe for a second that this was an "honest mistake" of him not being checked properly by guards. And the fact that William Barr is sputtering vociferously about irregularities and the need for an investigation, makes me seriously wonder if he - under the directive of Trump - somehow made this "honest mistake" happen.
1
The idea of rational suicide is one that has intrigued me for some time. I realize how radical this sounds, but I honestly think anyone 60 years of age or older should be able to "check out" if they've reached the conclusion that they don't want to live any more. By that age, we've been around the block a few times and should be able to decide the issue for ourselves. Ideally we wouldn't have to resort to violent means either. For those who might be wondering - no, I am not depressed. At age 62 my life is great and I am happy almost all the time. But I am not foolish enough to think it will always be this way and I'd like to feel I can quit when I want. I'm not going to wring my hands over Jeffrey Epstein's death. He was a monster, I'm glad he's gone, and I don't begrudge him his last act of self-determination.
I’m pretty sure this was by design I’m pretty sure a whole bunch of powerful people including Trump are overjoyed with this outcome. I’m hoping the southern district keeps digging.
4
Ripe for conspiracy theories. If suspected he was at risk and then left alone is that assisted or negligence? Either way, many powerful men are breathing easier. One hopes it's a mere delay but with William Barr is charge and his family's connection to Epstein not to mention Trump's potential name in the documents I'm guessing he will use the entire judicial system to make sure nothing sees the light of day. Legally, of course. Barr is a man with blind ambition but the people's lawyer part of that.
3
Sounds like a made for tv conspiracy plot where the guy who was about to undo the lives and reputations of the rich and powerful, including the President, is conveniently quieted.
13
I find it extremely curious that we were never told what method he used to attempt it the first time -- what materials were available to him; what was it tied to, and why was he found on the floor, in the fetal position, sharing a cell with another inmate?
12
This article suggests that people have been coming up with conspiracy theories lacking evidence. Is the fact that Epstein was housed in a single cell and taken off sucidie watch eleven days after an attempt not evidence enough?
Mr. Epstein may have hanged himself, or he may not, but the very fact that he was left unobserved and alone should be enough to suggest that " Something's rotten in the state of Denmark..."
18
Hmmm. Prisoner is a threat to powerful people. Against standard procedure and common sense, prisoner is taken off suicide watch, left alone in jail cell, with no cameras and no guards watching. Prisoner is found dead.
Gibbs' Rule 29: "There is no such thing as coincidence."
17
Don’t forget the security tapes “malfunction”
3
Ask yourself, if this story took place in Russia would you think it was just a case of an accused, powerful financier committing suicide and there was no foul play involved? Probably not. You should reserve the same skepticism for the USA today. We have officially crossed the Rubicon of corruption and scandal and anything is now possible.
23
In such a high profile case, authorities, prison officials, guards, and the administration knew that people were watching (even if, as they claim, no one else was), which means they didn't care about reaction to Epstein's suicide, or that so much was at stake they had to risk it.
The investigation into Epstein's crimes and the source of his money should proceed, with or without Epstein.
8
To understand and uncover what happened to Epstein, you must remember this one thread running through Trump's life: ANYONE who threatens him, his presidency, his business or his family is expendable. End of sentence.
13
Trump always points to the Clintons whenever he or someone he knows is guilty of anything. Barr is in charge of the Judicial system so it stands to reason that Barr or Berman were involved in this "suicide". There are too many obvious "coincidences" that this happened how and when it happened. If Epstein did take his life he had help.
Trump has been known to never Directly handle things for himself, he always "suggests" things to someone to help his situation.
7
And now we see AG Barr citing "serious irregularities" at the jail. I can only imagine the celebrations in the trump whitehouse with the realization that they can now begin a flood of verbal and legal assaults against that nasty thorn in their side--New York.
4
Pretty convenient for those about whom Epstein may have known some nasty secrets.
Barr, who runs the Justice Dept under which the death occurred, works for the law firm that defended Epstein years ago. Barr’s father gave Epstein a teaching job though Epstein had no college degree. Barr got the AG job just as the Epstein case heated up. Trump, who has benefited from Barr’s obsequious protections, used to party hard with Epstein.
Sure makes me wonder who might be breathing easier after Epstein’s death.
10
Another incident that erodes public confidence in our institutions. One of our highest security prisons—before this happened we kept hearing about how fantastically secure it was—can’t even keep its highest profile inmate alive for a short time? Even after a previous suicide attempt or attack? And then earlier, housing him with someone charged with four murders. By the way, what an astute, insightful psychologist!
8
Another glaring sign of the decay of the U.S. from the inside out.
- Mass Shootings every other week with no end in sight.
- Corrupt politicians whose top priority is raising enough
money to cling to power so they can further line thier own
pockets.
- Entrenched corporate powers controlling what we see (Google, Facebook, Twitter) and able to ban those they
disagree with.
- A media that simple reflects the views of it's corporate
masters (The military industrial complex that we were
warned about by Eisenhower)
- An entertainment industry that promotes frivolous sex,
drug use and violence to our youth through music and
movies (mainly music now though)
- A significant portion of our youth on mind altering psychiatric medications, staying indoors and staring in to screens all day.
I could go on but whats the use...
1
In a sane universe, this would be the end of Bill Barr as Attorney General. In addition to the cloud of suspicion that justifiably hovers over him thanks to his own family ties to Epstein, the fact that probably the most important defendant currently in custody would be allowed to end up dead, either by his own hand or others', is indicative of gross incompetence.
9
They took him off suicide watch, placed him alone in a cell that had no video surveillance, and then didn't even bother with regular checks? This man was the centerpiece of the scandal of all scandals! The degree of incompetence displayed by the Bureau of Prisons is so baffling that deliberate negligence seems like the most reasonable explanation.
3
Or assassination.
The bottom line is that by moving Epstein into a Fed pen, he fell under the custody of Donald Trump, so the buck stops there (lol).
But my point isn’t (necessarily) about Trump wanting him dead and having the means to make that happen: too many people on both sides of the aisle, and at high levels of the business community, wanted this guy dead. This is almost screaming out for a special prosecutor who is beyond reproach and can’t be bought.
5
Trump & his administration are trying to blame everyone but themselves. But Epstein was in federal custody . . . doesn't the buck stop with Trump?
3
Because of the appearance of impropriety and the obvious reality of a conflict of interest Bill Barr should recuse from investigating this case and appoint a Special Counsel.
What is Robert S. Mueller, III doing these days?
6
The bottom line is that by moving Epstein into a Fed pen, he fell under the custody of Donald Trump, so the buck stops there (lol).
But my point isn’t (necessarily) about Trump wanting him dead and having the means to make that happen: too many people on both sides of the aisle, and at high levels of the business community, wanted this guy dead. This is almost screaming out for a special prosecutor who is beyond reproach and can’t be bought.
1
Is this the same jail where the heat went out and people were left to freeze last winter?
@Third.Coast I think that was Rikers.
The buck stops with Barr: He needs to testify before Congress. The gravity and scale of this case suggest that federal agents should have been posted at Epstein’s door 24/7. One phone call would have done it.
1
Attorney General Bill Barr is shocked, SHOCKED that Jeffery Epstein apparantly committed suicide in the federal facility in New York City that Barr is ultimately responsible for operating.
Heads will roll.
Not the heads that should roll.
Barr MUST recuse himself from this investigation. I do mean PUBLICLY recuse himself.
Did the people on duty do anything wrong?
Were the people on duty ordered or encouraged to do anything wrong?
If any orders or encouragement were given to the people on duty, who issued the original order or encouragement?
Punishment will be administered at as low a level as possible.
If you're one of those people at the lowest level, then you better start talking to the press NOW, before anyone has a chance to silence you or prosecute you.
The clock is ticking...
3
Exactly as predicted. Of course "suicide".....just like everyone else with details on the C's. Wow at the ratio of suicides and execution of people on the edge of testifying with information on them. If the same stats were applied to the general public, there would never a trial. Still, attempts to flood the media with protocol and procedure blaming are in full force thinking it will distract. It isn't working.
1
Donald Trump said it was Clinton who was in cahoots with the Russians in the 2016 election. It was him.
Donald Trump said Obama started family separations. It was him.
Donald Trump said it was the FED’s fault the economy wasn’t stronger. It’s his trade war.
Now, he says that Bill Clinton was involved in the Epstein death.
I think it’s nothing more than history repeating itself.
9
This is going as-planned. Those wealthy, high-profile men whose names leaked out as being "possibly" involved with Epstein ... and others we don't yet know about ... will never allow this to go forward. Every part of the investigation will be riddled with excuses as to why they can't collect sufficient evidence. Now..it's because the cameras in the jail were not pointed into his cell...they were pointed away. SNL should be able to have a field day with all of this.
12
I was just reminded that William Barr's own father is connected to Epstein. Has he recused himself from this investigation? It's hard to believe he was really "appalled" by this event.
11
@Lynne
Barr announced that Inspector General Horowitz who will be conducting the investigation. So yes, he has recused himself from the "conflict" of his father giving Epstein a job 40 years ago and never having else to do with him afterward.
1
I worked in the prison system for 15 years. Nobody is kept on suicide watch for a long time. If there are serious concerns, the inmate is place in a small mental health unit.
9
Mr. Young's "unequivocal" statements should be a matter of interest in the investigation.
2
Who were the overnight guards who neglected their duties? What are their names? Have they been fired or put on administrative leave pending investigation. Aside from the higher ups whose negligence caused this, there were 2 apparently union-represented guards who failed to do their job. Heads should roll.
1
@rac
None of them neglected their duties. They were excused or elsewhere, thus enabling the hit to occur neatly, quietly, and without incident.
7
I don't understand why Barr has taken such a prominent role .
He could have easily deferred to DOJ spokespeople and/or local or national prison officials but instead has taken control of one case among tens of thousands under his purview.
Very strange.
15
Apparently William Barr is not being "closely monitored" either. How on earth is he getting away with not recusing himself from anything related to Epstein when he not only worked for a law firm that represented Epstein, his father was involved in some sketchy dealings with Epstein as well.
How on earth.
Honestly. What has become of respect for the Rule of Law. Even Jeff Sessions knew when to recuse himself.
31
Barr should resign. He's in charge of the federal prison system. And either by negligence or design, the most important inmate in that system died before being brought to justice. If Barr had a stellar reputation for honesty and reverence for the rule of law before this happened, we would be more willing, perhaps, to give him a pass. But he does not. And so his remaining as the nation's chief law enforcement officer cheapens this office and calls into question our entire system of justice. This cannot be.
20
The plaint that lack of staffing led to the suicide of Epstein , if true, is a consequence of the endless talking point of the GOP that "everything costs too much" to justify reckless, ill-considered cuts to funding of every sort (except the military).
This is but one example of the costs of political interest in getting elected resulting in real damage to America and its interests.
The costs of rampant, reckless and politically motivated cuts to health care, education and assistance to the poor, national security, electoral integrity and public safety in the guise of "fiscal responsibility" are immeasurable.
8
Barr portrays concern over prison management, but there is also a lot at stake in his involvement with trump and Epstein. He should recuse himself from the investigation.
15
This happened on William Barr's watch, and he should be held accountable for what goes on in the organization he runs. In reality, we'll see the blame pushed down to the lowest level possible, as far from the top as they can get it. I predict the two officers will be fired, their supervisor will be suspended without pay for two weeks, and the warden will receive a stern "Tut, tut" from some drone at DoJ.
21
Are there no security cameras in these cells? The rest of us seem to be on camera 24/7, but not Epstein?
24
I don’t know if you’ve ever lived in NYC but 35 years ago when I resided on the Upper West Side I remember something that’s stayed with me to this day. I was outside taking a walk along Riverside Drive and an official NYC towing vehicle was driving south. Opposite, an otherwise legally parked car was an inch or two into the yellow line that designated the walking area for those wishing to cross the street. Anyway, the eagle-eyed driver noticed this grave lawlessness and did a complete 180 degree turn, backed his truck up, wrote the citation, and had the car hooked up all in about five minutes. I watched this in amazement and realized that I was witness to something resembling true art.
Perhaps those who write tickets and bring in revenue should be watching prisoners; clearly they would have been on Epstein in seconds and he would have been spared to stand trial.
Sometimes you just can’t find good help.
11
"The Bureau of Prisons dropped the ball, period." No, there is no period here. The history of this man's life is one exceptional event after anoter where law enforcement miraculously fails to follow standard procedure.
The issue was not wheter he was murdered or comitted suicide (I expect it was the latter) the issue was powerful people who wanted to silence him and this series of "mistakes" that once again trammeled on process.
Whatever official narrative emerges from the "investigation" AG Barr who recused himself and then reversed much of that recusal a day later is where the buck stops. He had the ultimate authority to dictate how Epstein's incarceration was managed.
Those who followed this case closely will know that Barr's boss, President Trump, who he so effectvely protected by twisting the conclusions of the Mueller report, was alleged in one court filing that included a sworn affidavit from one of Epstein's employees, to have raped a 13-year-old girl who was also raped by Epstein.
As far-fetched as that accusation may seem (as it was withdrawn), given the substantial claims that Epstein and his ebablers abused not just a few dozen but as many as 200 girls and the nearly endless processions of offical "mistakes" made inprosecuting this man,one would think that the most powerful law enforcement official in the country would ensure Epstein's safety from himself and others to ensure his trial would set the record straight. Unless...
34
The suit you referenced (the rape of a 13-year-old girl by Trump at Epstein’s home) was filed twice, and withdrawn twice, due to threats.
There is a lot of unwarranted speculation but I would bet if a person was intent on committing suicide there would be a way to do it. Even in half an hour. Many people in Epstein's situation might commit suicide. He no longer had his fancy, comfy digs, just a barren, uncomfortable cell. He was almost certain to face a long prison sentence. His type of offenses often provoke other inmates to commit murderous acts. I can certainly understand why he would want to commit suicide even without help.
6
Something stinks, and if its true that Epstein tutored Barr in math, then the top investigator has to recuse himself from the investigation. . . I try not to fall victim to unfounded conspiracy theories, but come on! Every single act of neglect by prison empmoyees, from the Warden to the psychologist to the underpaid/overworked staff- practically guaranteed that a suicidal man would have every opportunity to kill himself. . .
How could that psycholigist take Epstein off suicide watch, knowing that he was a slick,clever, manipulative man who was getting damningly bad news all day every day? Even the overworked guards would be more likely to check in on Epstein simply because of his staus in the prison.
And then removing the cellmate? That clinches the conspiracy for me.
How could the Warden ignore this very high-profile inmate's care on every level?
Yes, this smells Bad.
29
I hope the coroner also checked for any kind of drug that may cause suicidal tendencies in Epstein’s blood analysis. Heck, even anti depressants can cause suicidal tendencies.
Also, the psychological analyses need to be looked into. Also, was the first attempt a suicide, or did the other cell mate have something to do with it. This was never completely reported out.
4
Why is everyone so upset. This suicide is certainly an admission of guilt. This saves us from having to waste time and money on a trial. Jurors won't have to upend their lives to listen to hours of testimony of disgusting depraved acts perpetrated on young women and girls. The guy deserves the death penalty and he got it.
My only question is why did William Barr, the US attorney general, go to visit? Was he worried that Trump could be implicated? Trump is busy spreading conspiracy theories about the Clintons when he himself was a known associate of Epstein.
11
The suicide is NOT certainly an admission of guilt. At best, it’s an indication of extreme despondency.
The conclusions that people leap to. Please.
I have no love of Trump. But It was Clinton, not Trump, who rode on Epstein’s private jet 26 times, including five times without secret service men. Flight logs show this. Bill Clinton was far far closer to Epstein than Trump was.
Wait, wait, you can't kill yourself, we aren't done punishing you.
3
CORRECT.
HE HAS INFORMATION OTHERS DID NOT WANT OUT.
@Peter Piper
21
That’s correct. Suicide is a coward’s exit, and all these women who Epstein molested will never get to have their day in court with him which is a travesty.
@MBKB A cowards exit? That seems very disrespectful to all of the veterans and teen suicide victims.
All anyone would need to determine that a man involved in such a high-profile and disturbing case should have a 24/7 detail is five functioning brain cells.
Therefore, methinks this suicide and the foibles that lead to it was pre-arranged.
16
&Jane Doe
Absolutely !
Dear Journalists, it would be helpful to all people, everywhere, if you could please replace the phrase, "commit suicide", with "died by suicide" in the same way you would say, "died by gunshot". Mental health professionals, hotline volunteers, families and loved ones of those lost to suicide know that this is a key step the media can practice to reduce stigma, encouraging people to seek help. Suicide is more prevalent than ever before; some say a public health crisis. You can be part of the solution with your choice of words. (not specific to this case, general media guidelines).Thank you.
7
@teri "die by suicide" is passive. "Commit" is active and accurate. I fail to see how one increase is a stigma and the other doesn't. One is accurate and one is not.
I would add “please media, use the word “allegedly”, as in “allegedly died by suicide”.
It is unfortunate to have to say that from what has been reported so far about this deeply flawed man, the world is at no loss because of his "suicide". However there may be several individuals including one at a very very high level in our current government who may for now be glad that Mr Epstein himself can no longer spill the beans about who aided and abetted his rise and who benefited from Epstein's behavior.
9
Supervisor to prison guards: You had ONE JOB!
9
he was more than willing to permanently scar the bodies and minds of young girls for his and his sick associates pleasure but could never endure the pain and struggle of life as an inmate so he was obviously left with what he needed to kill himself in a cell, or given the drug he needed, then able to make it look like a suicide. They dont even need to be creative as it has been done many times before. Sure, no one wanted a canary to live, but he couldnt deal with what was coming next. there should be no way for these people to get out of the punishment they so deserve, but instead they are left with sheets and obviously some sort of ceiling pipe that allows this.
3
Epstein was wealthy and apparently associated with many 'high end' folks.
OK, so what.
Would all of these investigations be done if it was someone else not of his 'status' and if not, why?
Epstein committed suicide.
He could dish it out but couldn't take it.
The only real thing he had going for himself was his wealth and status that wealth allowed for him.
He had everything going for himself that most people have an only floating glimpse of if only in their imagination.
But he was also a vile human being.
And the fact that he was able to do what he did and keep doing it for years is a testament of us and our society.
Others would have been dragged into jail long ago.
But alas, he was exposed and jailed awaiting time until trial.
That he had requested to spend his time awaiting trial confined, housed in his own home is telling.
Who does that?
At the end of the day, this tyrant could dish it out but couldn't take it.
So he killed himself.
If there were others involved, they might have their own day of being exposed, but for now, they did do the world a favor. Thanks.
1
If Epstein did commit suicide, he managed as usual to get his way, escaping punishment for his horrific crimes--his prior minimal sentence of imprisonment was anything but punishment given the special privileges he was afforded allowing him to spend most of his day at his home with guards who responded as if his servants and with Cyrus Vance's corrupt office later pleading for Epstein to have his sex offender status substantially reduced notwithstanding his persistent, abhorrent sexual abuse of minors.
Although it is absurd that Trump, a former buddy of Epstein, would be spreading conspiracy rumors involving Clinton when his administration is in charge of the corrections system, the facts may reveal something beyond inexcusable gross negligence given Epstein's wealth and ability to corrupt.
78
@Gerard C
while I understand that not getting the whole story out is an injustice to his victims, to say that "he managed to get his way" is a bit much.
He had despaired to the point of taking his own life by hanging. 2 months ago he was a jet setting billionaire.
@Gerard C I can't help but wonder about what Epstein had on 45 and many other wealthy, powerful men, including Bill Clinton. Now conveniently no one will know.
2
If this had happened during the Obama administration, the GOP would be calling for the head of the Attorney General.
24
Every human being should be treated fairly and respectfully and safely. In Mr. Epstein case it is obvious that he was not. He was a despicable individual and that will be his legacy.
Unfortunately his apparent suicide will obscure the other issues about his behavior while alive, and prevent focusing on all his victims and the damage done to them.
I hope his victims will get their day in court and his estate be held responsible for reparation.
6
There is nothing redeeming about this entire story except exposing the under belly of corrupt wealth. Conspiracy theories are just that, but there are some people who are relieved that Epstein will not be telling all.
6
The first step regarding Epstein's suicide is to prove that it even occurred, beyond a shadow of a doubt and that it was absolutely "him" who was found dead in the cell. This should be ridiculously easy to do, and to prove, and to release to the public. At the very least, dental records and personal physical identifying information should be corroborated and information released to the public.
Secondly, there has got to be video evidence of what was going on in that cell, even weeks beforehand. If this place was SO lax that no one was even paying attention to the inmates, we'd see El Chapo whooping it up at Euro Disney by now. There must be good reason that high profile prisoners are kept in that facility.
Third, prison visits, communications, and logs should be combed through, and financials for all who were around Epstein -- all of it released to the public. Even with as much transparency as can me mustered, many will still "doubt," maybe even including me, that this comedy of errors was even possible. Nonetheless, hard evidence, such as clearly verifiable autopsy results, will go a long way to establishing that, at the very least, he's dead and not in some witness protection plan. None of this should be THIS difficult to do.
8
The question remains as to whether taking Epstein off real suicide monitoring was a colossal blunder on the part of jail administrators, or was it an intentional act to silence this man who knew too much about too many in high places to continue to live?
16
Suspicion is far too often becoming fact. I had a former assistant warden at the MCC for a college course in social problems, who like me, also knew the longest held (9 year at that time) MCC prisoner (Joe Doherty/IRA-political prisoner). You learn a lot about the inner workings of prison when you speak to the keeper and the prisoner. I also had a family member who was a guard in a local federal prison here in PA.
People need to stop and think--especially when presented with the fact of not having enough guards. Federal prisons everywhere have been understaffed for many years. Guards who are doing timed checks on prisoners and making their routine rounds could easily be held up by situations with another prisoner(s) that keep them from meeting their scheduled checks because they are spread so thin. Things like that could be in play here.
Overall, I feel the need for more facts not more suspicion or conjecture based on the few facts that are known right now.
11
Perhaps the jail and Mr. Epstein did us all a huge favor by saving millions of dollars in prosecution and jail costs. Hopefully, what is left of his estate will go to the victims of his life-long pattern of abuse.
6
@LH No favors here. The victims have a right to face their tormentor in court. They have been deprived of this. Their rights far outweigh saving the money to prosecute Epstein.
8
Every time I read that Epstein was not monitored, I am still shocked. I cannot believe that personnel could not figure out on their own that a man who attracted so much publicity and legal actions, should not be monitored.
There has to be more to this story other than personnel were too overworked to monitor Epstein. I would think the requirement to monitor him, would be something they learned in GUARDING PRISONER 101.
17
I can't speak to the special housing unit floors in this facility, but a very long time ago I worked for a utility that periodically sent us into this facility. My recollection was that there were cameras everywhere, where an inmate could be followed from the time they left the common area of a unit that was typically one wing on a floor that had more than one, to anyplace in the facility (including recreation areas on the roof). Most floors did not have cameras in the cells and with more than a couple of inmates jammed into a wing, back then the guards typically positioned themselves in the common area of a wing where they could observe anyone with business entering or exiting the sliding doors for that wing. There was generally good reason for that positioning, as if there was going to be any conflicts, it would be most likely where they typically positioned themselves. Regardless of whether some conspiracy is proved or not, going forward the smart play might be to have cameras covering all cells and a 3rd guard assigned to be a full time rover so the next time a high profile a high profile prisoner is housed, human error of a low paid employee isn't the go to finding.
2
I'm not sure that there was any evidence that he was suffering from depression, this sounds like it could be an existential suicide and would explain why the psychologist cleared him.
2
@john taylor
Every competent pychologist knows that a suicide may be "existential".
I sincerely hope that the psychological evaluation will be available, at least to professionals, in my life time.
2
Ironic that the people that are investigating the suicide will find out that they have only themselves to blame for not making sure there was adequate resources (money) to cover the security detail. Instead of keeping Epstein safe, they were putting him in harms way and giving him the means of ending his own life. It seems that justice was short-changed by making sure that he wouldn't be around for long.
7
Both trump and his AG Barr are deeply and extensively involved with Epstein going back decades. That they haven’t recused themselves already from any investigation of Epstein’s death is preposterous beyond belief! But now the situation is taking on truly bizarre proportions. trump is inserting himself directly using his powerful bully pulpit (twitter) to spread innuendos implicating Clinton. He is already running interference even as the DOJ is about to launch an investigation into the matter. That Barr himself is in control defies credibility. This behavior is so grievous it easily rises to the level of “high crimes and misdemeanors” cited in the constitution. This is obstruction of justice in plain sight.
42
I suspect it's gross incompetence at the Federal level. One guard working his 5th day in a row on a double shift, one non guard who is filling in for a guard and forced to work mandatory OT. Add in that it is 6:30AM on a Saturday morning in the summer. Complacency sets in and no one can continue to work 16 hour days on end. Have you ever met someone who takes all the OT they can get?
Where was management? Probably in their office on their iPhone or if they were working they were probably documenting meaningless training programs. It's what inept bureaucracies do.
2
My question: Why does there still seem to be a question as to whether the first incident, when Epstein was found unconscious with bruises on his neck, was a suicide attempt or not?
Did Epstein not admit to it, did he stick with a story that he was attacked, or didn't know what happened?
And what about his cellmate at the time, the accused murderer, what became of him?
As AOC said, we have a lot of questions, we need a lot of answers.
18
Murder for hire. Plain but not simple in this case.
15
what's "funny" is Trump implicating Clintons, when Trump is ultimately responsible for Federal prisoners.
18
Suicidal, highest profile prisoner in a federal lockup goes unwatched. Makes you wonder how much attention the other prisoners in that jail get.
8
I'd say there is at least a 99% chance that Epstein was intentionally left alone. It defies common sense and logic that the guards would simply forget to monitor him. It would be like the Secret Service claiming their agents forgot to watch the President one night.
I also don't understand how these 30-minute checks were supposed to work. Thirty minutes is more than enough time to kill yourself.
246
Or be killed within 30 minutes.
49
@Sophocles
Obviously you have never been in a prison either as a visitor or otherwise. There are few jobs that require someone for their own safety to be hypervigilant every minute of every work day. So if they fall down on the job at times it's probably just the nature of the work and also the kind of person who is willing to take such a dangerous job for which there is very little reward other than a not very big salary.
3
@Steve I completely understand and agree with what you are saying but given the very high profile nature of this particular inmate is it not unreasonable to assume that the jail would've been a bit extra vigilant? Yes, the job is extraordinarily demanding and highly dangerous, yes the job is thankless and unrewarding but the fact remains that Epstein was no "ordinary" inmate. And it is not unreasonable to ask why the jail did not bring in extra guards to help with watching over this particular individual if watching Epstein put too much extra work on what I'm sure is an already busy watch. The fact remains that this is to say the least an extremely suspicious turn of events and the jail well knew the value of this particular inmate. There's a LOT of questions here. The sad part is, it's the guards who will likely be thrown under the bus as scapegoats for what I'm sure were machinations much higher up.
40
Outrageous. All working in the prison chain needs to have their finances monitored. While the explanation may be valid [suicide] the reasons for the rumors are more than justified. This outrageous situation requires extraordinarily aggressive investigations. Follow the money.
190
@skeptic
Or is he alive and well on one of his many residences around the world with fake news reports of his death.
Yes, this would make a very interesting movie!
20
@Aubrey or at a different location, somewhere farther. He can't risk being seen.
9
@skeptic-Agree. Two reports I read from people who've conducted suicide watches state: "In a prison or jail, a suicide watch is actually called a Constant Watch. A jailer sits on a chair in front of the inmate's cell, which has nothing in it that can be used for self-harm. No sheets, no clothes, etc. The person is watched without a break. The inmate is dressed only in a suicide smock which is sleeveless and legless and held together with velcro, so it cannot be fashioned into a noose or even a knot. His blankets would be the same material. He would get hygiene products under supervision. The only things allowed in his cell would be a book and court papers. The jail attendant would be required to enter a log in a log book every 15 minutes." Knowing Epstein was suicidal--and the importance of this case--how could he not be watched every minute? Also how did the prison’s chief psychologist determine it was safe to remove this vigilance, if this is true?
17
Every person who road on the “Lolita express” and visited that Island needs to be hauled before the judicial system. Thee pilot logs need to be examined and cross referenced with the 2000 pages of documents just released Friday in federal court. The victims deserve justice and the guilty need to be exposed and pay the price.
The fact that Epstein is dead should not impede the process.
218
@Florence "The fact that Epstein is dead should not impede the process."
In no ordinary circumstances would the process be impeded. But other high profiles people are involved, especially Mister "I Am Above The Law" Trump, and in Donald Trump's America, ordinary processes are impeded every day.
54
If you read the 2000 pages released in Federal Court on Friday, you will see the name of another former President very prominently and frequently mentioned. A lot of people want to quiet this up.
19
@Florence Don't forget his Zorro Ranch outside of Stanley, NM. This ranch was out in the middle of nowhere, far from the authorities prying eyes.
3
Both of the guards on duty when he died were working overtime. Economists wonder how with such low unemployment numbers wages don't rise. This is how: Somone decides it is cheaper to have low paid staff work overtime in hopes of eventually filling low wage job vacancies, rather than raise wages to attract quality candidates. And with overtime, productivity drops off. So you save in wage rates but lose on quality. It is a tradeoff many employers are willing to gamble, apparently even the Justice Department.
214
@Mary M When you allow staff to work overtime, you avoid having to hire additional staff who would, in addition to their salaries...wait for it...incur benefits expenses! Most times the cost of the overtime to the employer is dwarfed by the cost avoided by not having to pay additional staffers salary plus benefits, especially many government jobs. It only becomes a problem when oversight folks start complaining about excessive overtime, especially when it allows lower wage workers to make as much as or more than much higher skilled positions.
32
@Mary M Overtime is a privilege in the Law Enforcement field and is chosen in accordance with seniority. Many new officers and guards cannot get as much overtime as they'd like because they do not have seniority. To try to make this an employment issue would be ill advised.
18
@Barry Williams. Yep. I am one of those "oversight folks" in healthcare. Low wages also means minimal training and education and minimal attention to the tools that help staff be successful in their jobs. And everyone catches their heads when a bedridden, brain damaged twenty something women suddenly went into labor at her long-term care facility, the result of rape by a male nursing assistant. In my particular area, it's not uncommon to interview staff who formerly worked in corrections environments. It's nonprofit so staff tend to know they aren't going to get rich but front line staff are struggling to make ends meet while the people at the top are making bank.
22
Regardless of whether it was suicide or foul play, negligence or inevitable, I suspect there are a lot of men (and women) in high places breathing a sigh of relief that Epstein is dead. Those high places are not just Trump Tower, I suspect the skeletons of his past reside in all political closets, those of Wall Street and many others. This is the stuff of multiple conspiracy theories and real events yet to be known or explained. The fallout may well be radioactive to any number of people in high places.
317
@Bruce Olson
His critics will make this about Trump, but it isn't. Epstein's friends who traveled on the Lolita Express and visited his many residences should be the focus. Trump got a ride back from FL to NJ. Hardly the same.
12
Too much overtime....is that the explanation? Does not pass the ha ha test. How about Putin did it? The US is rapidly headed to third world status. Depressing.
71
@as I too thought of Putin as I read it. He has much to lose if Trump sinks over this scandal and he is an expert at orchestrating assassinations far from home of noteworthy people.
39
The investigation into Epstein’s death must be thorough and transparent. This was a man whose extensive connections with powerful people, including Donald Trump; his capacity to blackmail them with evidence of criminal behavior videotaped at his homes; his vast offshored wealth from mysterious sources; and his long association with the daughter of a businessman with ties to the Russian mob, himself suspected of having been murdered by them, all raise the natural question of whether he might have been the victim of an arranged murder.
If the investigation, complete with complete reconstruction of decisions taken and chains of responsibility, shows nothing more than appalling negligence and understaffing at a jail, that alone would be valuable. But it might yield information about far deeper corruption, with potent implications for why our public officials make the decisions they do — including why certain Republican legislators seem incapable of challenging Trump on his many unprecedentedly destructive policies.
And may I say that William Barr, the son of the man who inexplicably hired an unqualified young Epstein to teach math, is not the person to be trusted with this investigation.
481
@Portia
"The son of a man..."? Really reaching with that one. Then, again, it's Trump and to be expected.
11
@AACNY
Is there and Epstein-Barr connection? Indeed there is
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epstein%E2%80%93Barr_virus
That is one even Trump probably didn't expect.
38
@AACNY @Portia I wouldn't trust Barr with anything!! And particularly THIS!
58
I don't subscribe to all of this "how could this happen?" stuff. Epstein knew too much, plain and simple. Remember Lee Harvey Oswald? Jail is the perfect place for silencing these people forever so they can't spill the real beans that matter. And who is really sorry it happened to Epstein? Oh, the crocodile tears...
11
While all the conspiratorialists are out in full force (aided and abetted by our paranoid president); this appears to be a case of the banality of evil, described by the late Hannah Arendt, no one at the institution cared enough to intervene considering the heinous charges against pedophile Epstein, they preferred he would “disappear” preferably by his own hand
@Mel Albin Well said. People can look for conspiracies, but the neglgence is out there in plain day. The victim is the full truth (ie Epstein's potential testimony) and for that loss someone should pay-- most likely Barr.
1
What did he hang himself with? Usually all possible means of self harm are removed when someone has been on suicide watch. So...no half hour checks on a recently suicidal inmate who's alone in his cell with some item he can use to hang himself. This is passing strange!
17
Epstein’s “suicide” was as predictable as day. I knew from the moment of arrest and bond denial this will never get to trial. Whether it was a hit job or suicide I am sure we will never know which btw is another prediction. All this talk and investigations into Epstein affairs in name of seeking justice for the so many victims posture today will come to naught when we look back 1-2 years from now. Something terrible will happen usually in the markets or worse that will distract and steal the public scrutiny. Remember Sandra Levy anyone?
16
Trump tweeted a conspiracy theory regarding, who else, a Clinton...but I think that is just a cover to protect himself.
Who has a bigger stake in covering up his own antics with Epstein than Trump?
Who can order the Justice Department to act or not in matters, Trump.
So if their are conspiracy theories being floated by Trump & his minions & sycophants, I think the real conspiracy to silence Epstein emanates from the White House & Trump Tower.
16
@JoKor Previous people "arrested" and hand-slapped Epstein.
Before this current arrest, others kept Epstein in their active circle of friends.
The more Trump knew Epstein, the less he had to do with him, even forbidding entry onto his property.
Is it a coincidence Epstein faced a real arrest ONLY when Trump was president, and under a loophole found by Trump's people?
1
how convenient that Epstien knew the guard schedule and that the guards, would NOT be rounding on the night of the apparent suicide.
what about video. My Ring doorbell lets me know everytime a squirrel goes by my door. where are the prison video's?
6
@Rhsmd1 In the hallways/corridors only.
1
Since when is the cause of death publicly announced before autopsy? Barr is at it again.
24
I dont believe JE is dead. No more than I believed the Enron CEO "died" right before he was going to be sent to jail for a long time.
6
America, and this newspaper, have often criticized Russia, China and N. Korea when high profile suspects die while in federal custody...perhaps with a little too much hubris.
14
@J House yes and this is where we are now as well, how far we have fallen.
3
H. @J House- When a democracy falls into the hands of a tinpot president with zero empathy, a fan's fascination with strongmen leaders and corrupt disregard for most citizens, then speculation about conspiracies commonly runs as loose as water.
When I lived in Chile, under dictator Gen. Pinochet, dead-serious rumors often circulated that he was dead. (No such luck.) When I lived in Peru during the rule of an authoritarian president, there was grave belief - among press, public and constitutional experts - that he was going to stage an auto-golpe - a self-initiated, military-style coup to take the country for himself by force.
You can't have such a massive chunk of the government and political structure in slavish thrall to a piggish and grabby, ego-bound nationalist without suffering from such surreal fears.
Whatever happened to Epstein, I maintain the conviction the press will uncover and disseminate it, without governmental restraint. I guess that makes me an optimist, for now at least. But let's see what they find before applauding our democracy.
1
So even in jail Mr.Epstein was privileged. I would look to see if any money passed hands in his interest. They should look at the those who did the psychiatric evaluations and determined not to keep in on suicide watch. They should also look at these overworked and most likely underpaid guards, to see it they had been offered something to sweeten their retirement accounts (in cash of course). I am so surprised he was not in a facility that was far more sophisticated then where he was. He got over on us yet again.
2
There are multiple investigations going on regarding his death. That means we will have multiple conclusions. He had already attempted suicide so why was he taken off suicide watch. My father was a jail guard and said this is very suspicious to him. The suicide watch should not have been stopped.
5
@Sharon Conway His attorneys requested he be taken off suicide watch, but the final say is supposedly up to the warden.
2
Had Epstein stayed alive throughout the trial, there was no evidence he was going to testify anyway. Mr. Epstein took the fifth in all of his prior testimony, could not be compelled to testify at trial, and spent considerable sums silencing his co-conspirators and witnesses, even paying for their legal representation. The best chance for the government to prosecute the case is to charge the co-conspirators and try to get one of them to flip, now that Epstein is dead.
8
The whole story is one of unbelievable incompetence and shifting stories. He was wanted dead and if he did the deed himself so much the better.
Given this administration’s admiration of authoritarian tactics and policy I feel pretty certain that the public will never learn WHAT happened (why his suicide watch was discontinued, how it was possible to hang himself in the cell, what he had available to hang himself with etc.), nor will we learn any of the “WHO” involved in decision making. In essence: it was done by magic! Black magic.
Next act, please, in this three ring circus.
4
This scandal could challenge the JFK assassination in notoriety - so many important people are directly connected to it. With Trump immediately trying to shift all the attention to the Clintons - you know he knows that HE is a prime suspect.
It seems clear the fix was in when they stopped monitoring this guy. It reminds me of the recent jailhouse murder of Whitey Bulger. A known rat, he was moved to a known dangerous prison and put in with the general population. Bye bye Whitey.
10
@Paul Shindler
Yeah, Kennedy assassinated in November '63; Malcolm X assassinated in early '65. MLK Jr. and Robert Kennedy assassinated in April and June of '68.
Disparate circumstances, and evidence to the contrary, you'd be hard pressed to convince me that those assassination were NOT about the pursuit of civil rights activity in pursuit of a more perfect Union and the powers that be who weren't -- and still aren't -- feeling power sharing.
5
Seems quite simple to me: If Justice Dept believed Epstein's testimony would clear others accused - including current president, appropriate monitoring measures would have been implemented.
It's really that simple!
22
@bmck
Hanlon's razor applies here. Why bother to suspect conspiracy, when simple gross incompetence is sufficient. Also the article states that the JD was made believe that the usual measures were in place.
1
I think justice was served. There are many women who can testify to what men, famous and otherwise, used them. His collaborators, friends and employees who procured and trained (groomed) these underage girls, are still alive.
Another benefit of being white: no need to answer for your crimes. And while at it, when was the last time we heard about Weinstein or Spacey? Answer, a long while.
4
@Frank Lopez Actually, the weekend it was reported that Weinstein is selling many of his properties; and a couple of weeks ago, it was reported that Spacey's victim dropped his civil charge.
1
How could someone so high profile with so much damaging information, be taken off Suicide Watch? His photo in prison says so much about his state of mind.
Who did he speak to last?
Unfortunately this reminds me of the scene in the Godfather series where the character Frank is convinced it would be in everyone's best interest to kill himself.
3
The only question at this point is which mega-rich associate of his paid to make this happen.
8
If this was anyone else, society would just shrug and move on - as it should be in this case also. Quit wasting money.
3
As Attorney General Barr has suggested, it's suspicious, very suspicious. The whole thing played out like a cheap TV movie. Let's hope the investigators are more competent than the jailers were.
5
Which items in a jail cell support the action of hanging oneself? One could argue a sheet was used instead of a rope but does the correction facility really provide something to hook the sheet to the ceiling? The are many ways to prevent the suicide of a person alone in a locked room.
8
Narcissists don’t commit suicide, especially not in grotesque ways such as self asphyxiation or hanging. The narcissist loves himself above all else.
We now know that a supposedly suicidal man was taken off suicide watch for some reason, was not being checked in on for several hours, AND his cell mate was moved before his death.
The odds that all of those things were completely coincidental and Epstein actually took himself off the board are low. I have a better chance at winning the state lottery today by letting my dog pick the numbers.
52
@Austin Ouellette, narcissists who fear the consequences of being found guilty just might commit suicide. Can you really imagine Jeffrey Epstein wanting to live in a jail cell for the rest of his life with the thought that any minute he might be murdered by a fellow inmate? Inmates detest sex offenders and consider them the lowest of life forms.
@Austin Ouellette
Yes they do. Narcissism doesnt protect against suicide. When your game is up, suicide is an easier way out.
The Press is FURIOUS! They envisioned months of "testimony" again, "leaking" names of the famous whose lives could be ruined based on a spurious accusation.
And of course, any time there are sensational and sleazy happenings the political parties will jump in and make it a campaign issue. Epstein's death means there is no chance that our House can find an excuse for a "hearing".
2
Trump kicked Epstein out of Mar-a-Lago. If Epstein had dirt on Trump, Trump would have treated him like the biggest VIP there. Meanwhile, Clinton flew on the Lolita Express more than two-dozen times, and Epstein was a huge Democratic supporter. Do the math.
8
@David R
I guess you didn't read the criminal complaint against both Epstein and Trump that was recently published, in which one of their victims cite rape, threats against their families and other abuse done to her at age 13 - by both "men."
22
What you say here further underscores the point I made in my original comment. If there were any truth to that at all, Trump would have treated Epstein like royalty at Mar-a-Lago, instead of kicking him out.
4
He had plenty of dirt on trump and it was trumps administration that made sure epstein was softballed when charges first came against him in Florida. They made sure his teenage victims were designated as prostitutes and were denied their day in court. Trump now controls the entire justice department ever since he put his lackey Barr in place. Barr’s crocodile tears mean nothing. If Barr decided Epstein was to be taken off suicide watch then that’s what happens. The prison authorities disobeyed all of their own protocols and I doubt it was because Clinton arranged it. Pretty clear trump just didn’t want the Epstein saga playing out in the media leading up to the election next year.
10
DOJ mismanagement Dept.-Barr and Acosta
Epstein may be gone but these 2 should be forced to resign for gross mismanagement of handling the Epstein case.
6
"Mr. Epstein’s death has also unleashed a torrent of unfounded conspiracy theories online, with people suggesting, without evidence......"
You mean like the "conspiracy theory" being peddled by the mainstream media?
The media has flatly stated since Saturday morning that "Epstein committed suicide".
Where is the evidence of such a claim?
1. There is no video footage.
2. The medical examiner has "declined to release a determination about the cause of death".
3. The only information is coming from "anonymous" sources.
Whatever happened to investigative journalism in this country?
When "journalists" simply parrot what they are told by "anonymous" sources.....the truth will never be discovered.
27
Oliver Stone has his next movie concept. I would suggest to Mr. Stone that he just sit in a room and write a script. Don't do a lot of independent investigation. Not safe.
3
So, without investigative findings as a foundation, you've already dropped "apparent" and accepted that his death was a suicide? It may well have been (or not), but why come to this conclusion as the investigation is just beginning?
19
@Sixofone
Paragraph 5: "At 6:30 a.m. on Saturday, guards doing morning rounds found him dead in his cell. Mr. Epstein, 66, had APPARENTLY hanged himself."
3
This coverup is right out of the KGB/Khashoggi textbook. Nobody saw anything, no details are released, officials hush up or disappear, eventually people will tire of it and with the next news cycle life goes on. No one believes anything, the obvious lies come from the top all the way down without consequence. The cancer has spread to the whole organism, and it will eventually eat itself.
26
He could have conveniently been left alone to commit suicide.
He could have been killed by another inmate.
None of the men implicated will ever be able to live without suspicion. Forever.
The only thing I suggest is that the women who have come forward speak loudly and clearly about the names of the men who used Epstein's pimp services.
Ladies, your voices will not be silenced.
We are all ears.
53
@EC
Exactly. Let's not take our eye off the ball. It is about rich, entitled men that use mid-to-late adolescent girls for sex. Therefore, the crime here is ephebophilia, not pedophilia. Either way, sex trafficking is very sinister and must be stopped.
3
@EC
yes, but unfortunately like in the movie JFK, when asked if she was willing to testify about seeing Jack Ruby, the dancer says "If they can kill the President of the United States, you think they are going to think anything of a two bit showgirl?"
I don't think either Trump or the Clintons had him killed. I suspect that he paid off someone to leave him alone long enough so that he could do the deed himself.
7
You say: "Mr. Epstein’s death has also unleashed a torrent of unfounded conspiracy theories online, with people suggesting, without evidence, that Mr. Epstein was killed to keep him from incriminating others."
There can be no doubt that there are many "conspiracy theories" running wild in our culture today, from Vince Foster to Pizzagate. However, the Times does a disservice to the term, and what we simply do not yet know of the facts here, when the legitimate questions raised by this unfathomable death are lumped together as "conspiracy theories."
Of course there is "no evidence" that Epstein was killed, or allowed to kill himself, because of who or what he knew. However, let's give the investigation some time to determine if the conjecture that is now running rampant has a ring of truth, or falls into the fevered swamp of the "conspiracy theory." The Times can do better in its reporting. Step up!
21
Where is the body might be the first and most persistent question the Times team needs to ask.
3
@Don K.
Very well said. It is not at all unreasonable to be suspicious about the circumstances of Epstein's death and whether others played a role. This man's contacts and ability to implicate others run deep. The media does the public no favor to throw such concerns into a grab-bag of other more ridiculous and pernicious conspiracy theories circulating on the web. This event deserves a thorough investigation. I fear that some who breathed a sigh of relief at Epstein's alleged suicide may be able to prevent the truth from ever emerging.
4
If we are so cynical about the integrity of American justice that many speculate Epstein was intentionally left to commit suicide, then what's to stop us from thinking about this:
Maybe he did not commit suicide. Rather, maybe Epstein was allowed to "escape" and flee the country with most of his liquid billions, millions or [take your pick], intact. The remainder would, of course, would be sitting in the now-deeper pockets of his jailers, prosecutors or [take your pick].
This is the type of conjecture that runs wild in banana republics where oligarchs rule, essentially everything goes for the right prIce and justice plays like the game show, Let's Make a Deal.
9
@Peggy Rogers If Epstein was 'an intelligence asset' as Acosta claimed he was told, and if his photos were at least partly intended for use in international intrigues, he might receive help from government officials in extricating himself. These officials could lie with a clear conscience, at least in their own view.
5
@Peggy Rogers agree, this type of conjecture makes sense even to reasonable people when they are living in a corrupted country, which is exactly how most of our populace feel... And when you have a corrupt government that lies and where special interests and money rule, pretty much anything is possible: that he committed suicide, that he was murdered, or that this is a faking of his death with him on his way to hide out of the country.
7
Conspiracy theories aside, it seems painfully obvious that Epstein managed to arrange an opportunity for his suicide. Whether or not outside parties were involved we may never know.
And now that the monster is dead the “fun” begins, eh? The press and their public live for such a cornucopia of trash.
8
The fix was and remains in. The only remaining question is who’s gonna take the fall. Someone has to. The madam is now rich and will never be found. Or she will be murdered as well. There is no justice in America anymore.
10
Come on. This was a classic Hit! Stop suicide watch, wait a few days, Oh! He commits suicide. Very high ups wanted he removed, and #1 suspect really wanted him gone!
Look for money and it will be discovered!
18
Wring your hands over this if you want, but Epstein's suicide was clearly an admission of guilt and a demonstration of his cowardice. He saved taxpayers the trouble of holding a trial by giving himself the death penalty.
5
@Stevem He also saves his famous clients and his 'intelligence' contacts from exposure. Epstein was only one of many who abused the girls on his properties. The public deserves to know 'the rest of the story.'
7
@peter Epstein's death doesn't end the exposure of his confederates. The public can still get the rest of the story. Follow the money.
This may be more of a commentary of the attitude of jail and prison guards towards the privileged and towards child molesters
4
I just can't wait for last Wednesday's draft of Barr's press release to surface.
7
Several investigations are underway. There is no reason to believe Barr won't examine this closely. The noise about his father, etc., is just partisan griping. Conjuring up conspiracies doesn't make them true.
2
@AACNY If Barr would have shown that he's an attorney general for the USA not a Roy Cohn for Trump, I'd have a bit more confidence. He's made some VERY partisan decisions during his tenure, he'll have to prove that this is not partisan as well.
22
The psychiatrist that saw Epstein every day for the past 6 days after his 1st suicide attempt must have had a breakthrough with Epstein's psyche. He may have realized he was a despicable human being for corrupting young girls and that all he had to do was to get a shrink to listen to him talk and have a few injections to control his hormones and then give each woman a chance to confront him as adults and pay them damages for their suffering. But maybe he woke up on the 7th day, realized he could do all that, except facing each victim in court and hearing their pain ... so he chose the easy way out. Pride runs before a fall every time.
I am not sure if he was seen by any Psychiatrist. He was seen by a Psychologist who cleared him. I may be wrong but I did not read anywhere that he received Psychiatric evaluation
One is tempted to say “cui bono” (Who benefits), but this is “quid enim prodest” (What for profits).
The ‘good news’ is that the people in Russia and China are revolting against Empire in their own countries. The bad news is that the nominal HQ (and hidden nature of) this real Disguised Global Crony Capitalist EMPIRE is right here in our formerly ‘promising’ and sometimes progressive country (PKA) America.
As far as these conspiracy realities of Jeffrey Epstein’s death are concerned — regarding whether Bill Clinton, Prince Andrew, any number of powerful billionaires, or even faux-Emperor Trump were benefitted by Epstein’s ‘passing/snuffing’ — Trump and the others are just individual people whose crimes might go to the grave with Jeff — Trump is, as has so often been said, “just a symptom” of the ‘system’.
The silencing of Empstein was done to ‘cover-up’ this whole ‘system’ of this Disguised Global Crony Capitalist EMPIRE itself — not just the latest players within the metastasizing cancer of this first effectively-Disguised, truly-Global, illegally-Crony, and Capitalist-fueled EMPIRE!
16
One is tempted to say “cui bono” (Who benefits), but this is “quid enim prodest” (What for profits).
The ‘good news’ is that the people in Russia and China are revolting against Empire in their own countries.
The bad news is that the nominal HQ (and hidden nature of) this real Disguised Global Crony Capitalist EMPIRE is right here in our formerly ‘promising’ and sometimes progressive country (PKA) America.
As far as these conspiracy realities of Jeffrey Epstein’s death are concerned — regarding whether Bill Clinton, Prince Andrew, any number of powerful billionaires, or even faux-Emperor Trump himself, were benefitted by Epstein’s ‘passing/snuffing’ — Trump and the others are just individual people whose crimes might go to the grave with Jeff — Trump is, as has so often been said, “just a symptom” of the ‘system’.
The silencing of Empstein was done to ‘cover-up’ this whole ‘system’ of this Disguised Global Crony Capitalist EMPIRE itself — not just the latest players within the metastasizing cancer of this first effectively-Disguised, truly-Global, illegally-Crony, and Capitalist-fueled EMPIRE!
This is why — No new ‘democracy party’ candidate should be voted into office — unless and until he/she clearly ‘comes-out’ and articulates their position and peaceful Revolutionary posture to be 100% Against EMPIRE!
Bernie started this but for Election he must fire a; loud, public, sustained, ‘in the streets’, but totally NON-violent “SHOUT (not shot) heard round the world”!
3
At this hour, the NYC Medical Examiner has concluded an autopsy but is withholding official results pending receipt of more information. Questions will remain about decisions in taking Epstein off suicide watch prematurely and then, allowing him to be alone in a cell. He was at high risk for suicide. The actions of prison officials were akin to taking someone in an ICU off life support with obvious consequence. Their dereliction of duty to protect Epstein is great enough to support suicide enabled by negligence. Negligence secondary to utter incompetence or willful negligence?
15
@blgreenie Reportedly, that first "suicide attempt" on 7-23 was NOT. Epstein told a guard that someone had attacked him. Perhaps that was why he was taken off of suicide watch -- because it was determined that he was not, in fact, suicidal.
There are rich people out there that didn't want any investigation into their relationship with Epstein and they're hoping any further investigation will go away.
This may have been a suicide but it looks otherwise.
28
Court ordered Jeffrey Epstein to be jailed because they deemed him to be a flight risk. They then allowed him to take the ultimate flight.
23
It's appalling that mass media gives credence to 'preliminary reports that are subject to change' without proof or question. Repeating sources initial reports without verification is not journalism.
8
The question I have is: Did Epstein know what the protocols of his watch were? If they were as they should have been where someone was looking in on him frequently would he have even attempted to hang himself? But is it possible he knew that he had plenty of time unobserved to carry out his own death then how, why and from whom would he have received such information?
"Mr. Epstein was supposed to have been checked by the two guards in the protective housing unit every 30 minutes, but that procedure was not followed that night, a law-enforcement official with knowledge of his detention said."
Was that the ONLY night the procedure wasn't followed or was this SOP for the MCC?
7
I have been incarcerated 3 times for a total of 56 days. First two days-solitary confinement. Second two days solitary confinement. Third, 30 days gen pop followed by 22 days of solitary confinement. All cells have six concrete walls, a door with no handle, a platform bed (could be bunks), toilet sink combo. Window has no handles or bars on inside. Some have argued I am a very intelligent person- up for debate, but I simply can't figure out how somebody can hang themself. I had 56 days with nothing to do but think about it. This one needs to be proven how it allegedly was executed...then we can all make a decision if we believe it......until then, no way.
116
@Tobia
I have never understood that either; always figured those that got the chance to do it are put into some mysterious cell with exposed pipes on the ceiling.
1
@Tobia
I wondered the same thing. Not to get too graphic, but what does one hang themselves with in jail, and from where?
He supposedly was found three weeks ago with bruising on his neck - from what? It says he was sharing his cell at the time, so why don't we know exactly what happened? Why is this all so vague? I'm not a conspiracy theorist, but it seems very strange.
@Tobia Belts are taken away from prisoners, hence the sagging pants of prison culture. It must have been a common problem before the removal of belts was identified as a solution.
There has to be video of the halls around his cell right? It is a maximum security jail. Let’s see the footage.
37
If this were to happen to a prisoner in Moscow - we would be talking about sanctions and a congressional action.
This event should make all of us reflect whether we condemned this man to his fate without a trial by his peers.
Innocent till proven guilty did not seem to apply to this man.
I do not know this man nor any of the high powered folks who he dealt with. But our justice system failed him.
As to many comments below about his estate etc - I think, this is so crass as to make many of his alleged victims as gold diggers.
And if that was really the intent, shame on folks who let a man kill himself in our own country.
7
Once of suicide watch anything is possible. The guards were to look in every 30 minutes, which is a pain when you have 600 to 800 prisoners. You can strangle yourself in 3 minutes.
1
Now we're hearing that Epstein's accusers are angered by his death. What do they want, to take the stand to relive their horrors followed by slow agonizing punishment? He paid the ultimate price. Does it matter that he did it by his own hand.
Take comfort in the fact that by doing himself in he tacitly acknowledged his overwhelming, indefensible guilt.
5
Rudy G and some former official named 'Preet' both opined that Epstein's death would be on videocam. The cost is trivial -- any laptop can do it. Many jails routinely videocam all their inmates, not just billionaires accused of dozens of crimes involving exploited minors and rich and powerful politicians around the world, who were given special treatment because they were said to be 'intelligence assets,' who have relationships to current and former presidents. I can't buy a cup of coffee without being video-recorded. Go figure.
10
@peter Preet Bharara, former NY Attorney General, fired by Trump.
1
I used to work for the California Department of Corrections.
They would purposefully keep vacant positions on the books in order for their guards to earn big money on overtime rates (up to double time, not just 1/2 times).
Understand, the State of California uses those overtime rates when calculating a person's retirement account.
The vacant positions in prisons should be filled or taken off the books.
15
@Dave Or, better yet, all govt pensions other than Social Security eliminated.
@Dave,
Federal prison guards and employees do not get OT included in any pension calculation unlike some states and local governments (CA, CT). Thus the incentive to "Game" OT to that degree, is just not there. Also if one had the choice of working in a state or federal prison, the federal one would often be the last choice.
@Dave,
Federal prison guards and employees do not get OT included in any pension calculation unlike some states and local governments (CA, CT). Thus the incentive to "Game" OT to that degree, is just not there. Also if one had the choice of working in a state or federal prison, the federal one would often be the last choice.
1
Early in this story it says that Epstein was found semi-conscious in his cell with bruises around his neck. But it does not say anything about whether a noose was found in his cell. Wouldn't that be definitive in concluding it was a suicide attempt? Folks, we do not live in the country we thought we live in. Let me make a prediction. There will be a lengthy investigation and it will be found that although suspicions remain, Epstein's death was caused by poor judgment, fatigue, miscommunication among prison personnel, etc. Some higher ups in the prison will be transferred or forced to retire or resign. Lower down it will be 30 day suspensions without pay. And that will be that.
76
Nope, not "forced to retire or resign." — Promoted (Peter
Principal)
12
The probability that key members of the jail staff may have been paid off or bribed to remove close surveillance need to be part of any investigation. There are just too many stakeholders in the permanent silencing of Epstein!
91
@Louis A. Carliner
Yes. So every guard, warden, camera monitoring person should have their bank accounts investigated to see who was paid off.
15
Federal agencies, i.e. our government agencies, making serious and entirely uncalled-for mistakes.
What is new here?
13
@boroka.Re: 'What is new here?' The Federal government is very competent at safely securing high profile prisoners - Ramzi Yousef, Timothy McVeigh, Ted Kaczynski, Khalid Heikh Mohammed, El Chapo - from both outside harm as well as self harm. Why not in this case?
19
And corporations never make errors. Cough.
4
@KittyP
We EXPECT corporations to make errors. That is why we have (?) agencies supervising and governing their activities.
What agency supervises and controls branches of the federal government?
Congress? Please . . .?!?
1
There's something deeply dysfunctional in our country.
NYCHA. The MTA. ICE. The Bureau of Prisons.
We've created bureaucracies that seem incapable of performing their basic functions - house the neediest, make the trains runs on time, keep the borders secure, keep a high profile defendant safe though his day in court.
Calls for more government solutions to what ails us can't be taken seriously until this systemic breakdown is at least addressed.
11
@William Murray
When the government is run by people, who do not want the government to succeed, they starve the system so that the end result is that too many employees are tasked with a work load that makes them look incompetent. Child protective service is a good example, but it's almost universal.
4
Paraguay, Peru, Brazil, Bolivia and Ecuador all have 14 as the age of consent. In Nigeria it is 11. In Mexico it is 12. Epstein was no saint but I found the piling on hypocritical. Legallz it is not clear that he would have been convicted given the lack of recent charges. If the US really cared about child abuse and prostitution would it not be appropriate to institute sanctions to include visa and immigration restrictions on people from these countries to accomplish change? Enforcing the age of consent would help slow down the runaway population growth of these countries as well. I spent some time in Honduras working with the poor and men considered sex with very young girls/children normal. That is how we see 17 year olds with four kids crossing the border. The most depressing part of the Epstein case is that some very powerful financiers and politicians are going to walk away from this and it is more than likely that this was an assisted suicide. How we can do business with Nigeria with such an outrageous age of consent is beyond me? Epstein was not the problem and he was a symptom. As a parent I think 18 should be the age of consent but I am old fashioned. One can only hope that someone will dig deep and expose the people Epstein would have named. I am not holding mz breath.
11
@as
Kids as young as 12 and 14 have not attained the maturity necessary to give consent to sexual acts. They are children. I don't care what their backwards governments say.
Ever talk to an 18-year-old? I have my doubts about them.
14
@as The age of consent of 18 was arrived at for the purpose of criminalizing people having consensual sex. The reason for that was because of a high teen birth rate. Once the cops, et al woke up to the fact that they could cash in on this, they were off and running with the Moral Majority approach to the entire affair, and now we have a bunch of 16-20 year old people in consensual relationships who are tagged as "registered sex offenders" for life - and who of course require constant (expensive) monitoring, etc.
So money is the root of all the stupidity on that count.
1
There several other commenters here who remarked that Epstein's estate should be left to his victims. Considering the shadowy origins and what has already been reported about suspected embezzlement of Les Wexner, I imagine he stole most of his money from corporations and wealthy businessmen. Them and their high-retainer law firms will surely file claims against his estate, leaving little for his "massage therapists" when it's all said and done.
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There several other commenters here who remarked that Epstein's estate should be left to his victims. Considering the shadowy origins and what has already been reported about suspected embezzlement of Les Wexner, I imagine he stole most of his money from corporations and wealthy businessmen. Them and their high-retainer law firms will surely file claims against his estate, leaving little for his "massage therapists" when it's all said and done.
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Can we see a picture of what these cells look like? It is supposed to be very difficult to hang ones self in these cells. A picture is worth a thousand words.
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My only question here is who will be portraying Epstein in the film version and will Harvey Weinstein be producing?
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@Always Merry and Bright
That film will be written & directed by the same folks who want to open the border so that the cartel criminals who deal in sex trafficking from Mexico into the USA can do there nasty trade unimpeded?
That certain NFL owner seems to be getting the same nice and easy result from having money to lawyer up and fight paying for his sexual activities. Meanwhile the TV will show him and other owners in their private suites like their a part of the game to observe? Not for this fan and certainly not THAT owner!
Rich guys getting off is nothing new?
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NYT, you used the phrase, “apparent suicide,” to describe Jeffrey Epstein’s death. It might have been more appropriate to write, “alleged apparent suicide,” because of the mitigating circumstances surrounding this case. Also, a suicide watch that occurs only once every half-hour is not a suicide watch. If there is sufficient concern that an individual might attempt some method of mortally wounding themselves, a five-second glance every thirty minutes is neither protective of that individual nor sufficient to insure that individual will be available for justice.
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The DOC routinely transports suicidal prisoners to hospitals for evaluation and treatment. In a hospital, JE would have almost certainly been on a 1:1 watch 24/7, and this would not have happened.
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Epstein was an obvious suicide risk for many reasons. Either gross incompetency, homicide or a pass to do it. All not good. Investigation must be external and independent.
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@charlie corcoran-
I believe that nobody wanted Jeffrey Epstein to go to trial. He had too many high-level acquaintances that flew to his little playground island and those activities were not to be made public.
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@charlie corcoran AG Barr refused to recuse himself from the Epstein case and must be considered among those with a stake in the evidence. Now he's "appalled" that Epstein was allowed to kill himself.
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@Mstrdiver
Exactly! I also think the rich and powerful, who stand to lose a lot, have "pulled the plug" on JE.
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We have a glorified notion that bureaucracies work like a finely tuned and oiled machine. Police departments, schools, hospitals, prisons. They don't. Maybe they did at one time, back in the day, the 1940s or 1950s when things were very different in this country.
But not now. Sometimes it takes a high profile case like Epstein's to hold a mirror up to the protocols not followed, even though they may be written down.
Some of the corrections officers on his watch had been working straight days of overtime. They might have been tired. It's easy to cut some corners when you're exhausted.
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@Len And to fall asleep the moment you sit down when exhausted. Many do it while driving!
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@Len
I don't think bureaucracies worked that well back in he 1940s or 1950s either. We just didn't know about it. The information age has helped place a spotlight on accountability.
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@Len:. I do not know a single person who thinks bureaucracies work like a finely oiled and tuned machine. On another topic, when this becomes a movie, how about Vince Vaughn as Epstein?
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For one last time, Epstein gives justice the slip.
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@Mary M-Actually A.G. Barr's DoJ with possible assistance from NY has given justice the slip. Barr, and former Sec. of Labor Acosta,re alumnus of Kirkland & Ellis, the highest grossing law firm in the world. Conservative ideologically, the firm’s lawyers have represented Epstein, Russian oligarchs and Alpha Bank, and British Petroleum in the Deep Water horizon spill. Firm attorneys: Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, Clinton-era Special Counsel Kenneth Starr, and various Trump admin officials including National Security Adviser John R. Bolton, Sec. of Health and Human Services Alex Azar, and Justice Dept. Criminal Division Assist. AG Brian Benczkowski — who represented Russia's Alfa Bank up through his nomination hearings.
AG Barr’s father hired the twice-failed college dropout Epstein in 1973 when he (Donald Barr) served as the controversial headmaster of the prestigious private Dalton School. One yet-to-be-validated rumor is that Barr wrote pornography under a pseudonym and his leaving the school, after Epstein was hired, is related.
@Mary M
Or, more specifically, the 'Justice' system gave Epstein one last slip. And so it goes....
Will a notice of claim be filed by Mr. Epstein’s estate given the clear implications of what has transpired and what are the financial and legal implications should a wrongful death or murder case ensue?
What were the original charges that caused a Judge to allow for Mr. Epstein’s recent apprehension, which proved a death warrant?
What has happened to others who spoke out against Mr. Trump and allies?
Given Mr. Trump (close “former” friend), Mr. Barr (whose daddy hired Mr. Epstein), and Mr. Berman (former law partner of Mr. Giuliani), but not the moved cell mate (former friend of Bernard Kerik, who was appointed by Mr. Giuliani), work for Mr. Trump, and were appointed by Mr. Trump, who has touted he has the Police and Military, how can any material witness now come forward and trust they too will not end up in Executive branch aligned custody and or dead?
Will Mr. Barr and Mr. Berman now recuse themselves?
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@Underhiseye-Excellent points. Add in that AG William Barr’s Justice Dept. recently upheld Jeffrey Epstein’s secret wrist-slap 2007 Florida plea deal, engineered by Acosta in a June 24, 2019 determination, reported by the Miami Herald:
"Jeffrey Epstein Plea Deal Must Stand, Prosecutors Tell Sex Abuse Victims - Suspected sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein was handed another break by the Department of Justice on Monday (June 24, 2019) when federal prosecutors rejected his victims’ efforts to throw out his plea deal and prosecute him for abusing dozens of underage girls. In the 35-page motion, filed in federal court in the Northern District of Georgia, federal prosecutors said that there is NO legal basis to invalidate Epstein’s non-prosecution agreement — and they WARNED the federal judge in the case against doing the same."
https://www.miamiherald.com/news/state/florida/article231916968.html
@Underhiseye
Thanks for detailing all of Trump's connections to Epstein. I'm sure it's just a coincidence that the President and his hand-picked legal eagles, the highest ranking men in the Justice Department, benefit from this inmate's 'untimely' death.
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I am unclear.
What did Epstein use to presumably hang himself.
Was his body checked for foreign DNA.
Were there grab marks on the body.
Was there a chair or stool under the body.
Was there trauma on the neck which should have been present if he hanged himself as opposed to having been killed and then hoisted up.
The ME has not yet made a definite ruling in this case saying they await more information.
What sort of information.
Whether the death was a suicide or homicide should be based on physical information and not speculation about who had a motive.
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@david
True.
But perhaps he was just given the "opportunity" to kill himself, as well. That is harder to prove and I am not sure any physical evidence could help.
Why did he have anything to hang himself with?
Why was there no camera on him 24/7?
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@david Many law enforcement people with knowledge of that specific facility are saying that they can't imagine how anyone could hang himself in those cells. It's particularly telling that we have yet to hear a description of the exact orientation an of the body when found and the material(s) used to "hang". If it's a murder investigation, that would explain it, so it may be that it actually is a murder investigation and they're faking the suicide assertion. Or at least they haven't quite completely ruled out murder. And letting someone commit suicide by allowing him the means when you know he wants to, is murder.
Also, law enforcement has a responsibility to avoid public speculation about possible murder and motives, but only brain dead (or bought and paid for) investigators don't speculate while investigating. That's an essential part of investigating anything.
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@david Re" 'Whether the death was a suicide or homicide': or an ASSISTED SUICIDE. The guards were not following the protocol that night. From article:"Mr. Epstein was supposed to have been checked by the two guards in the protective housing unit every 30 minutes, but that procedure was not followed that night" Why weren't the best guards with the best records watching Epstein, instead of incompetent guards, Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dumb? Who scheduled them? Will this person be rewarded for their deed in 10 years, like Acosta?
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The Bureau of Prisons (BOP) did not offer an explanation? No surprise there. This is the same organization that allowed Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Center's inmates to go without electricity and partial heat during the coldest week of the year. No answers were provided then either. It wasn't until the media and politicians got involved, several days into it, that the BOP even addressed the problem.
The BOP is completely unresponsive. Glad Barr is investigating. It's the only way to get answers.
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The Bureau of Prisons did not "drop the ball".
The Bureau of Prisons carried the ball to the goal line in a highly effective manner.
The fact that we do not know for whom the Bureau of Prisons carried the ball is the issue of interest to many.
It is unlikely we will ever know.
What goes on in the Bureau of Prisons, stays in the Bureau of Prisons.
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@Michael I believe you on that one!! Right or wrong, law enforcement sticks together.
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@Lois Lettini
Trump spent a fair bit of time with his buddy Jeffrey back in the day. And, a bunch of other guys who are beyond the law. So, who knows who ordered him removed.
All we know is he cannot talk now.
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Are we surprised he was not monitored? Another person (state worker, unionized) not doing his/her job of monitoring Epstein. The state can hold their irresponsibility.
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@Jan Federal Bureau of Prisons, not NYS DOC.
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It simply begs credibility that such a high profile prisoner, whose acquaintances include a list that will likely get longer as the contents of the newly-released documents come to light, would be left unattended such a short time after he was found injured in what appeared to be a suicide attempt.
Who knows how many people are breathing easier today in the knowledge that Epstein will never be able to testify.
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@Rev. Roz Hopefully an accurate inventory of the contents of Epstein's various residences, etc., is protected from "accidental loss". Fowl play is still in play.
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Hi Roz,
I don’t know if you’ve ever lived in NYC but 35 years ago when I resided on the Upper West Side I remember something that’s stayed with me to this day. I was outside taking a walk along Riverside Drive and an official NYC towing vehicle was driving south. Opposite, an otherwise legally parked car was an inch or two into the yellow line that designated the walking area for those wishing to cross the street. Anyway, the eagle-eyed driver noticed this grave lawlessness and did a complete 180 degree turn, backed his truck up, wrote the citation, and had the car hooked up all in about five minutes. I watched this in amazement and realized that I was witness to something resembling true art.
Perhaps those who write tickets and bring in revenue should be watching prisoners; clearly they would have been on Epstein in seconds and he would have been spared to stand trial.
Sometimes you just can’t find good help.
@Rev. Roz
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@Always Merry and Bright
I lived on the UWS for 24 years - I know what you mean!
Also - when is the global banking system going to be cleaned up? How many times do we have to read about Deutsche Bank or the rest of them working with clients even after their own internal compliance departments give warning. “Publicly traded” means for profit. I guess we can’t expect returns each quarter with tight monitoring. We need to clean up our banking systems. We don’t need to see trumps tax returns - odds are most of his assets are held offshore.
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This horrible man gave himself the death penalty, which he would not have received had he gone to trial. Hopefully his accomplices will go to trial and give Epstein’s victims some closure - in addition to a bunch of cash as compensation for the loss of their youth.
24
To All the women who feel cheated that Jeffrey Epstein did not suffer consequences, I offer you a thought if a close relative of yours was attacked and died, would you think they had suffered a consequence.
I do think 20 years in prison would have been horrible for him, but losing your life even more so. Maybe less suffering in quantity, but a severe consequence.
To Jeffrey Epstein's brother: claim All Rights to his entire estate with the provision half of its proceeds go to any and all victims identified and the other half to go to establish a trust and facilities for women who are victims of sexual abuse and domestic violence.
Allow this trust to be set up by the victims with legal and financial advisors from major universities who donate any and all work on this for free.
To any and ALL Lawyers involved in any way: Wave any and all rights to be paid at all for any services given to the victims.
To the Federal Government et al: Wave all rights to any taxes should Epstein's brother does what I have written above.
This will never fix everything, but it will be the simplest and clear solution to a sad episode in the victims lives.
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@TheBackman
You've got some beautiful ideas there, but would take a perfect world.
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@TheBackman "I do think 20 years in prison would have been horrible for him, but losing your life even more so. Maybe less suffering in quantity, but a severe consequence."
Maybe if Epstein didn't himself want to die.
Punishments are usually meant to keep you from doing things you want to do. The women Epstein sex trafficked and even personally raped, when they were minors, have to suffer for the rest of their lives. Epstein needed to suffer for the the rest of his life, and not one truncated by suicide...if that's what it was.
4
@TheBackman
It is not up to you or anybody else to decide what will make his victims feel better. Personally I feel they should get his money
Were there other inmates on suicide watches? Were they also neglected as was Epstein? Did other i mates mysteriously have their cellmates removed? That may raise or tamp down speculations about the suicide - error or plot?
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Given more than 2000 pages of documents were being released immediately prior to his suicide - it’s more than an oversight he was not on a suicide watch. Maybe some of this money they go after of his - can not only go to his victims - but to the workers who are on their fifth day of overtime. It’s more than convenient. It’s impossible to even understand how it happened - but again - so was his being allowed to leave jail for 6 days a week in 2008. Embarrassing and corrupt.
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