Edwards asks that mistress's stuff not be destroyed

Editor's Note: WRAL News initially interpreted court documents incorrectly and reported that John Edwards asked for a delay in the court-ordered destruction of a sex tape he made with Rielle Hunter. In the order returning the tape and other items to Hunter, Judge Carl R. Fox allowed Edwards or other parties to delay that destruction, but specifically exempted the tape from any stay.

Posted 11:34 p.m. Mar 2, 2012 — Updated 9:57 p.m. Mar 3, 2012

GREENSBORO, N.C. — Editor's Note: WRAL News initially interpreted court documents incorrectly and reported that John Edwards asked for a delay in the court-ordered destruction of a sex tape he made with Rielle Hunter. In the order returning the tape and other items to Hunter, Judge Carl R. Fox allowed Edwards or other parties to delay that destruction, but specifically exempted the tape from any stay.

Ahead of his federal trial involving alleged campaign finance violations, John Edwards is asking a judge to keep some materials ordered returned to his mistress from being destroyed.

In a request filed Friday in U.S. District Court in Greensboro, Edwards asks that the court implement a stay in a settlement involving Rielle Hunter and his former aide, Andrew Young.

Hunter sued Young and his wife in 2010 over an alleged sex tape she made with Edwards and other personal items the couple claimed she abandoned in a box of trash. Hunter lived with the Youngs in 2007, while she was pregnant with Edwards' baby.

The Youngs agreed to give up their claim on the property, which has been in a courthouse vault. A Superior Court judge ordered that they destroy the tape and get any other items back for Hunter within 30 days of the settlement.

Superior Court Judge Carl R. Fox offered Edwards the ability to request that destruction of any of Hunter's property, except the sex tape, be delayed.

Edwards has pleaded not guilty to federal charges of using campaign money to cover up his affair with Hunter during his unsuccessful 2008 presidential candidacy. In documents filed Friday, Edwards' attorneys wrote that they will "consult with the government regarding the appropriate method," and reserved the right to request that some items be turned over to their team.

His trial begins in April and is expected to last about six weeks.

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