Defense rests after Ghislaine Maxwell says there is 'no need' for her to testify in her own defense

Longtime Jeffrey Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell declined to testify in her own defense on charges related to the alleged abuse and trafficking of underage girls.

Ghislaine Maxwell, the longtime associate of serial sex offender Jeffrey Epstein who herself is facing charges related to the alleged abuse and trafficking of underage girls, declined to testify in her own defense Friday, shortly before the defense rested its case in the two-week-long trial.

Judge Alison Nathan of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York informed Maxwell of her right to testify on Friday afternoon, following two days of testimony from witnesses for the defense.

"Your honor, the government has not proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt," Maxwell said. "And so there is no need for me to testify."

The defense rested its case Friday afternoon after calling nine witnesses over two days. The prosecution called two dozen witnesses over ten days.