Update: After nearly 2 weeks of deliberation, a North Carolina jury reached a verdict on only one count in the John Edwards campaign-finance violations trial. Edwards was acquitted on count 3: accepting illegal campaign contributions. The judge declared a mistrial on the other 5 counts.
The jury of eight men and four women were sent back to the jury room earlier today to hammer out a decision on all of the counts against Edwards.
The jury began deliberating on May 18 after a month of testimony, which at times sounded more like a steamy soap opera than a trial on the intricacies of campaign finance rules.
Charged with six counts of violating federal campaign laws, Edwards was accused by the government of soliciting nearly $1 million from wealthy backers to finance a cover up of his illicit affair and illegitimate child while running for president in 2008.
If convicted, Edwards can face up to 30 years in prison and be fined more than $1 million, although it is unlikely he will face the most severe penalties.
Edwards reportedly collected $725,000 from wealthy heiress Rachel “Bunny” Mellon, who disguised her contributions as payments for antique furniture, according to ABC News.
Photo: Chuck Burton/AP
