Ghislaine Maxwell declines to testify as defense rests case

New York — 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.