This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-18288410#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa
The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
Edwards jury sent to try again | Edwards jury sent to try again |
(40 minutes later) | |
The jury in ex-presidential candidate John Edwards' trial has been sent to resume deliberations after reaching a verdict on only one of six charges. | The jury in ex-presidential candidate John Edwards' trial has been sent to resume deliberations after reaching a verdict on only one of six charges. |
The panel in Greensboro, North Carolina appears deadlocked on most counts, after about nine days of deliberations. | The panel in Greensboro, North Carolina appears deadlocked on most counts, after about nine days of deliberations. |
Mr Edwards, 58, denies using donor funds to hide his mistress' pregnancy during his 2008 run for the presidency. | Mr Edwards, 58, denies using donor funds to hide his mistress' pregnancy during his 2008 run for the presidency. |
The former senator faces up to 30 years in prison and $1.5m (£945,000) in fines if convicted of all charges. | The former senator faces up to 30 years in prison and $1.5m (£945,000) in fines if convicted of all charges. |
To prove him guilty, prosecutors must show he knew about the money used in the cover-up, and also that he knew he was violating the law. | To prove him guilty, prosecutors must show he knew about the money used in the cover-up, and also that he knew he was violating the law. |
Courtroom confusion | |
The jury has reached a verdict on count three of the indictment against Mr Edwards. | The jury has reached a verdict on count three of the indictment against Mr Edwards. |
The charge is said to relate to illegal campaign funds from a wealthy donor, heiress Rachel "Bunny" Mellon. It is not known what verdict the jury reached on that count. | The charge is said to relate to illegal campaign funds from a wealthy donor, heiress Rachel "Bunny" Mellon. It is not known what verdict the jury reached on that count. |
The judge called a five minute recess once it was clear the jury was still undecided on several counts. | |
"I was obviously under the impression you had reached a verdict on all six counts," Judge Catherine Eagles said. | |
She apologised to the jury for calling them into court, before sending them back to continue weighing the charges. | |
Journalists scrambled to and from the courthouse amid all the confusion. | Journalists scrambled to and from the courthouse amid all the confusion. |
Mr Edwards, who appeared in court for the verdict, seemed at ease and was smiling at members of his family. | |
His defence team indicated they would like to hear the verdict on the third count and declare a mistrial on all other counts. | |
Two years ago, the former senator admitted he had fathered a child with then-mistress Rielle Hunter in 2007. | Two years ago, the former senator admitted he had fathered a child with then-mistress Rielle Hunter in 2007. |
An Edwards aide, Andrew Young, claimed paternity of the child to help his boss. | An Edwards aide, Andrew Young, claimed paternity of the child to help his boss. |
At the time, Mr Edwards' wife, Elizabeth, was fighting breast cancer. She died in December 2010, having separated from her husband after he acknowledged paternity of Ms Hunter's child. | At the time, Mr Edwards' wife, Elizabeth, was fighting breast cancer. She died in December 2010, having separated from her husband after he acknowledged paternity of Ms Hunter's child. |
Mr Edwards denied knowledge of the money, which paid for private jets, hotels and medical care for Ms Hunter, a videographer. | Mr Edwards denied knowledge of the money, which paid for private jets, hotels and medical care for Ms Hunter, a videographer. |