- Ghislaine Maxwell will likely appeal her conviction because otherwise "she's going to die in prison," a legal expert told Insider.
- After Maxwell was found guilty on Wednesday at her sex-trafficking trial, her family said they have plans to appeal.
- Former federal prosecutor Neama Rahmani said he believes the prosecution's case against Maxwell was strong.
Ghislaine Maxwell will likely appeal her guilty conviction because otherwise "she's going to die in prison," a former federal prosecutor, told Insider.
Neama Rahmani, the president of private firm West Coast Trial Lawyers, added that while he doesn't believe Maxwell has a strong case for her appeal, she will likely do it anyway.
Maxwell, who was the longtime associate of the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, was found guilty on Wednesday of five charges in her high-profile sex-trafficking trial.
She was convicted on three conspiracy charges, a separate sex-trafficking count, and of transporting a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity. The charges carry a potential sentence of up to 65 years in prison.
In a statement following the verdict, Maxwell's family said they have plans to appeal the decision.
"We firmly believe in Ghislaine's innocence. Obviously, we are very disappointed with the verdict. We have already started working on the appeal and we are confident that she will be vindicated," Bobbi C. Sternheim, one of Maxwell's attorneys, told reporters outside the courthouse in Manhattan.
Matthew Barhoma, a criminal-appeals lawyer in Los Angeles, agreed with Rahmani, but still thinks Maxwell could find strong claims in an appeal.
For example, one of the women who testified against Maxwell was over the legal age of consent at the time of the incident she was recalling. Another example could be that some of the evidence was old since it is from decades ago.
Regardless, Barhoma said even if the case is retried, the prosecution would likely still get a conviction because their case against Maxwell is so strong.
Maxwell could also try to lessen her sentence by cooperating in the investigation into Epstein, but it is still unclear whether she will assist investigators.
