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Published: 2011-12-22 16:12:00
Updated: 2011-12-22 16:12:00

Citing medical condition, Edwards seeks delay in trial


John Edwards investigation graphic
John Edwards investigation graphic
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Former Democratic presidential contender John Edwards asked Thursday for a two-month delay in his trial on alleged campaign finance violations, citing an undisclosed medical condition among other reasons.

Edwards, a former U.S. senator from North Carolina, faces six felony and misdemeanor charges stemming from the nearly $1 million paid by two donors to help hide and care for his pregnant mistress, Rielle Hunter, during his 2008 run for the White House.

The trial is set to begin Jan. 30, but Edwards' attorneys said in a motion that they don't have enough time to prepare for such a complex case and that failure to delay the trial "would be likely to result in a miscarriage of justice."

Information about the medical condition was provided to the court under seal, according to the motion.

Defense attorneys won a small victory in the case last week when U.S. District Judge Catherine Eagles denied prosecutors' attempts to prevent two potential defense witnesses from testifying.

Edwards' lawyers want Scott Thomas and Robert Lenhard, two former commissioners of the Federal Election Commission, to testify about their doubts that the donations to help Hunter violated campaign finance laws.

Federal prosecutors argued that witnesses shouldn't be allowed to offer their opinions on election law, saying the judge is responsible for interpreting the law in the case. Eagles said she wants to hear the government's case against Edwards before deciding whether to allow Thomas and Lenhard to testify.


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Of course - whenever he feels up to it. To prevent as his lawyers put it - failure to delay the trial "would be likely to result in a miscarriage of justice."

Medical Condition??? Could it be a guilty conscience for some of the acts he's committed. Maybe it's severe depression, worried that he might actually serve time in a federal prison where he belongs.

Scott Thomas has no business testifying for Edwards, he's just as crooked as Edwards is. He won't prosecute cases in his own district that he has all the evidence needed for a grand jury indictment, but won't present it. He allows cases to be continued for years without hearing and prosecutions. The Asst DA's under him follow his oders and don't prosecute the criminals.

What other off side excuse is Edwards going to come forward with. Sooner or later he will face the court and there will be no way of it. Just too, think we could have had THIS for a president. I so glad he will never have that opportunity ever again in his life time.

Given all the stress this man brought on himself during the last four years, it seems possible that his medical condition might be a huge bleeding ulcer.

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