Maxwell declines to testify as defense rests case

Ghislaine Maxwell’s defense rested its case Friday after two days of presenting evidence on the British socialite’s behalf. Not among that evidence: testimony from the longtime Jeffrey Epstein associate herself.

Around a half-hour after Maxwell told the court Friday she would not testify in her own defense because “the government has not proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt,” attorney Bobbi Sternheim rested.

U.S. District Judge Alison J. Nathan had asked the 59-year-old British socialite to stand in court Friday afternoon, explaining that Maxwell had the right to either testify in her own defense or decline to.

“Your Honor, the government has not proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt so there is no reason for me to testify,” Maxwell responded, attitude defiant.

Maxwell’s lawyers offered a spirited defense, portraying her as a scapegoat targeted by the government because prosecutors could no longer bring Epstein to justice after he killed himself at a federal lockup in August 2019 while awaiting his own sex trafficking trial.