Prince Andrew demands "trial by jury" in sex abuse lawsuit

New York, New York - Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, has demanded a trial by jury in the civil sex case brought against him by Virginia Giuffre.

Prince Andrew is being sued for sexual assault in a civil case.
Prince Andrew is being sued for sexual assault in a civil case.  © IMAGO / i Images

Giuffre, also known as Virginia Roberts, alleges Prince Andrew sexually assaulted her in three different locations between 2000 and 2002.

The duke submitted 11 reasons why the case should be dismissed, including that Giuffre's claims are "barred by the doctrine of consent" and by "her own wrongful conduct."

In the court document which communicated his reasons for requesting a dismissal of the case, Andrew's lawyers concluded: "Prince Andrew hereby demands a trial by jury on all causes of action asserted in the Complaint."

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In Giuffre's allegations, she accuses the royal of sexually abusing her at the London home of disgraced British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell, at pedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein's New York mansion and Epstein's private island, Little St James.

Queen Elizabeth II's second son also issued a long list of denials, including that he was ever a close friend of Maxwell's, who was herself recently convicted for sex trafficking and other crimes committed during her time with Epstein.

It's not entirely clear why Andrew is "demanding" a trial by jury, since his accuser has already asked for one, according to a lawyer representing several of Epstein and Maxwell's victims.

A judge previously denied the duke's application to dismiss the case. He has been stripped of all honorary military titles as a result of the growing scandal.

Cover photo: IMAGO / i Images

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