While the government presented a convincing case for Edwards’ general turpitude, what it failed to do was show that he had committed a crime. This prosecution was a stretch from the beginning. Edwards was accused of violating campaign finance laws, but those laws are notoriously arcane. None directly addresses a candidate or his staff soliciting contributions to cover up a candidate’s affair. It was not surprising that, navigating this murky legal landscape, at least some jurors would accept the defense’s contention that the funds were gifts rather than campaign contributions – and that the campaign finance laws therefore did not apply.
Cohen’s argument? The defense pulled off a savvy move by never playing Edwards as the innocent, arguing that while while he certainly was guilty of personal failings, they did not equate to the campaign finance crimes he was accused of. Edwards essentially said this at his press conference yesterday: “While I do not believe I did anything illegal, or ever thought that what I was doing illegal, I did an awful, awful lot that was wrong.” Agree? (EDIT: minor correction)
JUST IN: Jury at John Edwards trial reaches unanimous verdict on 1 of 6 counts only. The judge sends them back for more deliberations - NBC News
Follow updates on breakingnews.com
Photo: John Edwards leaves the federal courthouse in Greensboro, N.C., on Thursday.(Chuck Burton / AP)
Our comment on this: “One of six counts. ONE! They’ve been at this for like 30 years!” The defense is apparently seeking a mistrial, too.
Today in ongoing tension: Jurors in the John Edwards campaign finance trial will deliberate for a seventh day, amid word of “juror issues” affecting the decision-making in the case. Edwards could face prison time depending on how they decide. (photo by Gerry Broome/AP)
It gave her something to look forward to. The campaign gave her a wonderful focus and something to really hold onto.Bryan Huffman, a confidante of 101-year-old philanthropist Rachel “Bunny” Mellon • Discussing her $725,000 in under-the-table donations to the John Edwards campaign in 2007 — donations which were used as “hush money” to keep Edwards’ affair with Rielle Hunter a secret. Mellon’s payments were disguised as payments for furniture, to the point where notes were attached describing what kinds of furniture they were used for. Mellon, the daughter of an early Gillette president, also donated $6 million to Edwards’ PAC and, after the campaign, was allegedly pushed by an Edwards aide to donate $40 million to $50 million to a foundation for fighting poverty.
Today in downgraded haircuts. John Edwards’ haircuts used to be far more super.
He knows he made mistakes. But John thinks that the treatment of him is so unflinchingly horrible and that what he did is not so different from what others did — JFK, Clinton, the whole rogues’ gallery. We’ve had this conversation about his situation, and I remember he did compare it to Clinton. He said, ‘I did a horrendous thing, but I don’t know why I’m getting such an unforgiving treatment when you think of what other people have done.’New Jersey lawyer (and close friend of John Edwards) Glenn Bergenfield • Discussing the former senator’s treatment by the press, which Edwards feels is unfair, according to Bergenfield. Edwards, who fathered a love child out of wedlock while his wife was suffering from cancer, then denied the child was his for a couple of years, is accused of violating campaign contribution laws tied to his 2008 run for president and his affair with Rielle Hunter. His trial begins Thursday.
» Yeah, you weren’t entitled to those matching funds: The main issue that Edwards faces is that he received federal matching funds up the wazoo — funds which he didn’t end up using and now has to pay back. But that said, it’s not even the worst issue our boy is facing — see, he recently got indicted on felony charges involving his reported usage of $900,000 to hide his pregnant mistress, Rielle Hunter, from sight.
Edwards admits doing wrong: Former Senator John Edwards delivered this very short statement outside the federal courthouse Friday afternoon after his indictment by a grand jury on felony criminal charges. [ABC News video via ABC7News.com]
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» This makes things even more awkward: According to birth records released regarding Mildred Patricia Baena’s child with the former governor, he was born less than a week after Maria Shriver had a child of her own. The actor has supported the child since his birth. The superstar actor, who is taking this hard, “is doing everything he can to take full responsibility to take all of the spotlight off his children and wife,” according to a CNN source close to Schwarzenegger. Still though, it’s kinda tough to do so with this kind of scandal. This is pretty weird, right?
So yeah, that was kind of an atomic bomb of a news story TMZ just dropped, eh? It says a lot that the revelation that Arnold Schwarzenegger had a child out of wedlock would be shocking if he was just a movie star. (Over a decade ago, but still.) Problem is, though, he’s a former California governor, and as a result, the standard is way higher. Plus, he was married to a Kennedy! Anyway, here’s the apology: “I understand and deserve the feelings of anger and disappointment among my friends and family,” he said. “There are no excuses and I take full responsibility for the hurt I have caused. I have apologized to Maria, my children and my family. I am truly sorry.” Considering he’s done with political life, will this hurt his career going forward? Or will his now-revived movie career survive the revelation? (photo via the Port of San Diego’s Flickr page) source
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