United States v. Epstein — Hearing Transcript, August 27, 2019 (Dismissal & Victims’ Statements)

Official transcript of the August 27, 2019 hearing before Judge Richard M. Berman in United States v. Epstein, 19-cr-490 (S.D.N.Y.), held 17 days after Epstein’s death, on the government’s motion to dismiss the indictment. Appearances include AUSAs for the government and defense counsel Martin G. Weinberg, Reid Weingarten, and Michael Miller (Steptoe & Johnson). Weinberg tells the court the defense’s forensic pathologist found the broken bones in Epstein’s neck and larynx "more consistent with external pressure, with strangulation, with homicide... than with suicide," disputes the timeline of death, and states the body was moved before reconstruction was possible. The hearing also includes statements from Epstein’s accusers and their attorneys (among them representatives of The Bloom Firm), Prof. Paul Cassell’s request that the court publish its remarks, and a reference to Stacey Richman as counsel for the Epstein family. The government subsequently dismissed the indictment, and Judge Berman’s remarks were widely reported.