Epstein is a big domino. He is the pimp to the pedo elite. He’s got dirt on everybody. He is the principle brownstoner, or the visible agent for such. Pulling strings to get the judge to go in his favor will likely not end well for the judge, but that is like sacrificing a pawn to protect a more important piece. There is significance in the fact that epstein is still alive this close to being convicted: it means he’s still got juice. As of this moment, he still has clout to protect him.