Prince Andrew‘s debacle keeps getting messier.
A New York judge in charge of the sexual assault lawsuit has refused to throw out the case despite the different tactics utilized by Prince Andrew’s lawyer.
With the case still unfolding by the day, reports have made conjectures that Meghan Markle might be called upon to testify in court. According to David Boies, one of the lawyers on the case, the duchess of Sussex’s presence may play a part in bringing the lawsuit to a conclusion.
Although one might wonder how Markle will fit into the case, Boies shed some light on the mystery, citing his reasons in a recent interview. Find out more information below.
David Boies Believes Meghan Markle Is A Plausible Witness
Boies is the solicitor for the defendant Virginia Giuffre. She alleged that British personality Ghislaine Maxwell used her as a sex slave and passed her around to Jeffrey Epstein and his associates — including Prince Andrew.
Giuffre claimed that she was just 17 when she faced the ordeal and has been unable to move on with her life since the event. Fast forward to today, the lawsuit now hovers between settlement and going to trial.
A trial case will require several witnesses to testify for the accused and the plaintiff. Following this concept, Boies thinks that calling upon Markle to give a statement in court will bode well for his client.
As reported by the Daily Beast, the 80-year-old lawyer explained that Markle’s royal status implies she had access to insider knowledge. Additionally, she has a reputation for being truthful and will not mince her words in court.
Other Reasons Meghan Markle Could Testify In Court
The court’s decision to continue with the lawsuit gives Giuffre’s legal team the authority to start the discovery phase. This phase consists of research work to help the plaintiff and her lawyers build a case against the accused.
Now, Prince Andrew’s private communications and other recorded interactions can be requested by the team. They can also depose other members of the royal family. Markle is still a member of the royal family despite her family taking a step back from the inner caucus and is therefore not exempted.
Also, Markle and her husband, Prince Harry, are currently in the US. If the Duchess of Sussex is needed, Giuffre’s legal team has the jurisdiction to compel her to appear.
David Boies To Depose Other Royal Members
In the interview with the Daily Beast, Boies also revealed that he plans to depose other royal family members apart from Markle. In all, the lawyer seeks to quiz “10 to 12” people close to Andrew.
If this should happen, it implies that Andrew’s ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, his daughters Beatrice and Eugenie, or his brother Prince Charles are possible options.
However, Boies does not plan to depose Queen Elizabeth for this reason. “I don’t think, out of respect, deference, and her age, we would seek to depose the Queen,” Boise said.
“I don’t think she is going to have any knowledge that other people don’t have. I think he is unlikely to have spoken as freely to his mother about some of this stuff as he might have to his contemporaries or his ex-wife.”
David Boies Is A High Profile Litigator
Ultimately, Boies seeks to shake all trees and turn stones for his client. If the case goes to trial, best believe many daggers would be flung between both parties.
The Daily Mail described Boies as the “greatest deposition taker in modern American justice.” With such a reputation, Prince Andrew will have an uncomfortable day in court if the litigator gets the opportunity to have him under oath.
David Boies
The prince will also face the threat of perjury if the case gets tried alongside the other royals who may get deposed. Whatever the case may be, the debacle is already poised to bring more drama in the nearest future.