Ghislaine Maxwell's friends and family ask to remain anonymous if they testify in her defence
Ghislaine Maxwell's lawyers launch her defence case starting on Thursday
British socialite could face 80 years in jail if guilty of the sex trafficking charges
One of her lawyers has asked the court to allow some defence witnesses to withhold their real names
Friends and relatives pleaded for Maxwell to be granted bail while awaiting trial
Friends and family of alleged 'madam' Ghislaine Maxwell have asked to remain anonymous if they testify in her defence.
Maxwell, who could face an 80-year prison sentence if found guilty of six sex trafficking charges, will begin the 'fight for her life' in New York on Thursday when her lawyers launch her defence case.
The socialite stands accused of procuring women and underage girls for the billionaire paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. She vehemently denies the charges.
The prosecution rested its case on Friday after calling Annie Farmer, who testified that she was fondled and abused by Maxwell when she was 14.
Christian Everdell, a lawyer representing Maxwell, asked the court to allow some defence witnesses to withhold their real names, as they had requested, saying: 'People who testify might get a lot of unwanted attention, especially if they are testifying on behalf of Ms Maxwell'.
Judge Alison Nathan said she would consider the request.
During several bail hearings, Maxwell's friends and relatives wrote anonymously to the court pleading for her to be granted bail and vouching for her good character.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10300369/Ghislaine-Maxwells-friends-family-ask-remain-anonymous-testify-defence.html