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Politics

Questions Swirl around Jeffrey Epstein's Prison-Cell Suicide

August 10, 2019 - 9:00pm
Jeffrey Epstein: photo from the New York State Sex Offender Registry
Jeffrey Epstein: photo from the New York State Sex Offender Registry

Wealthy financier Jeffrey Epstein held in a New York federal prison on sex trafficking charges, was found unresponsive in his cell early Saturday morning and later pronounced dead at a local hospital. Death was by hanging; foul play was not suspected.

But Epstein's death came within 24 hours after long-sealed documents were released by a federal court in a since-settled lawsuit against Epstein’s ex-girlfriend by Virginia Giuffre, one of Epstein’s accusers. The documents included depositions of years of alleged sex acts involving literally dozens of underage girls, some as young as 14 years old.

It immediately raised questions, if not outright suspicions.

Epstein had been jailed in New York since early July, when he was indicted and pleaded not guilty to charges by federal prosecutors after an indictment accused him of sex trafficking. The indictment renewed attention as to how Epstein -- "who had opulent homes, a private jet and access to elite circles" -- had escaped severe punishment in an earlier investigation of sexual abuse more than a decade ago in Florida.

Epstein, 66, was known for his high-profile connections. In fact, the new federal indictment also focused scrutiny on such Epstein associates as Donald Trump, Bill Clinton, Britain's Prince Andrew and the retail billionaire Leslie H. Wexner.
 
U.S. Attorney General William Barr was the first Saturday morning to put his suspicions of Epstein's suicide into words, vowing the Department of Justice Inspector General would open an investigation in addition to the FBI investigation

"I was appalled to learn that Jeffrey Epstein was found dead early this morning from an apparent suicide while in federal custody. Mr. Epstein's death raises serious questions that must be answered," Barr said in a statement. "In addition to the FBI's investigation, I have consulted with the Inspector General who is opening an investigation into the circumstances of Mr. Epstein's death."

Epstein, perhaps the highest profile inmate in the federal correctional system, was removed from suicide watch July 29, just six days after self-inflicted bruising on his neck was spotted, the New York Times reported. It meant he was returned to the special housing unit at the jail, which is separated from the rest of the facility and has extra security. 

Suicide watch is a more “punitive management of an inmate,” Lindsay Hayes, an expert on inmate suicide and prevention, told CNN. He said it typically includes being locked in a cell without contact with other inmates, being served only finger foods, and being required to wear a “safety smock” instead of regular jail clothing. 

“If there was any wrongdoing, people should be held accountable,” said Hayes.

"The decision to remove him (from suicide watch) appears to have been a colossal error that must be thoroughly probed," Harry Litman, former U.S. attorney and deputy assistant attorney general, wrote in a column in the Washington Post. Litman also questioned why Epstein was given access to the tools needed for suicide. 

Federal jails and prisons are required to house at least one room for inmates on suicide watch with staff taking shifts to ensure the individual is under "constant observation." That typically means having someone watching inmates 24 hours a day.

Observers must document behavior, under federal law, and inmates can only be removed from suicide watch when they are determined to be "no longer at imminent risk for suicide" or in need of medical attention.

Christine Tartaro, a criminal justice professor at Stockton University in New Jersey, told reporters Epstein’s celebrity status, and the crimes he was accused of, likely warranted some extra supervision.

Epstein’s suicide cuts the legs off a prosecution his accusers hoped would finally show how he had been allowed to commit what they said was a string of depraved crimes for so many years -- "and what role his wealth, privilege and connections played."

Reach Nancy Smith at nsmith@sunshinestatenews.com or at 228-282-2423. The material for this story was gathered largely from CNN, USA Today, The Washington Post and The New York Times.

Comments

We'll never know the whole or true story on this. Epstein was a narcissist, people like him usually don't kill themselves. Ahh, the deep state at work again.

Bill & Hillary Clinton strike again!

There's no proof he's dead.

In my opinion, there's a pretty good chance that someone among the super fatcats and power brokers who Epstein had these young girls servicing paid some big bucks to a couple of guards in the jail to do the dirty deed. I don't believe Epstein would have gone quietly on his own.

Since Bill Clinton was documented over 2 dozen times (and who knows about the undocumented trips) flying with Epstein to his island with underage girls, its fairly easy to connect the dots. I'll bet we won't see much of Bill Clinton on the news for a few weeks or months. I wonder why?

Yeah, he was murdered in "Federal" custody. That is under the very eye of the U.S. Dept. of Justice. He hung himself fools... I know, I know, the Clintons did it. They knocked off Jimmy Hoffa too... GTFOH...Idiots.

He's in a "better place"!

Epstein's death was facilitated and advanced by the "liberal & socialist media outlets" as well as their "puppet political class"... Can revolution and the guillotine be far behind?!?

Epstein was DENIED his "Due Process" (afforded to all Citizens under our "Constitutional Law").. Aren't you ashamed America (Better Wake Up,...or we're ALL NEXT) ?!?

This shows either complete incompetence or deliberate intention on the prison system. In either case both should be investigated. It is time the American public knows the depths of corruption within our system.

How can you say that he comitted suicide by hanging himself and no foul play was suspected. He himself said to the guards that someone tried to kill him the first time. Isn't it suspicious that they succeeded when he was no longer on suicide watch? Clinton has had over 40 suspicious deaths involved with him and more after Hillary was Secretary of State. Remember Seth Rich? He was murdered in Washington, DC and they called it robbery when nothing was taken, not even his wallet. But he was on his way to testify against the Clintons. Hmm? There was another suicide of a FBI man while dancing. What really sends out mystery signals is that everyone there was told not to say anything to anyone and if they took pictures, they were confiscated. Oh yes, he was supposed to be testifying soon too. I have seen nothing even mentioned about this in the news, and it was about a week ago? Why was Sean Hannity forbidden to talk about Seth Rich on his TV show? ....

Oh, please . . . . . stop with the baseless wild conspiracy theories about everyone you dislike . . . . . it's childish, immature . . . . . . . how old are you . . . . . . 10? . . . . . . . . . PATHETIC . . . .

I am ..............PATHETIC...........

I am ..............PATHETIC...........

Yes it was it yes it was very unusual suicide where two small caliber gunshots to the back of the head In addition the suicide note was written on Clinton Foundation letterhead Just sayin’

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