Edwards’ Trial Heats Up Following Aide’s Testimony

As a follow-up to one of our recent posts, on Wednesday, April 25, 2012, Aide to former Senator John Edwards, Andrew Young, testified at Edwards’ campaign finance violation trial. The prosecution called Young to testify about his role in hiding Rielle Hunter, Edwards’ pregnant mistress, while he was running for President of the United States. Young took the stand on Monday, April 23, 2012, and began to tell the jury about Edwards’ relationship with Rielle and about how his relationship with Edwards began to change during the presidential campaign.

Young testified that as Edwards was beginning to put an end to his campaign, he stopped communicating with Young. In December 2007, Edwards, along with Young, issued a statement to the press in which Edwards denied that he was the father of Rielle Hunter’s unborn child, saying that it was Young who was father. According to Young, Edwards was to tell the press the real story once the baby was born. Young testified that he and his wife were no longer happy about letting Hunter live with them in an attempt to keep the press away from her.

Edwards is accused of misappropriating campaign funds to hide Hunter and keep her pregnancy and subsequent child a secret. He has pleaded not guilty to six counts of campaign finance violations. If he is found guilty, Edwards could face up to 30 years in prison and $1.5 million in fines. Edwards denies knowing what the money was being used for, especially given that much of the money was put into accounts that were controlled by Young and his wife.

The defense team has the task of discrediting Young, who is a valuable witness for the prosecution. Young definitely had some credibility issues. He initially lied to the press and told them he was the father of Hunter’s child when he knew that Edwards was actually the father. The defense team may try to say that since Young has been untruthful in the past, the jury should question whether he is telling the truth on the stand. Young’s testimony is so critical to the prosecutions’ case that discrediting him in front of the jury would be a big win for Edwards’ team.

If you or someone you know require the services of a Charlotte criminal defense attorney, please call the attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC. Call today for a free consultation at 1-704-370-2828.

Source
“Ex-Edwards Aid talks about crumbling relationship,” by Michael Biesecker, published at FayObserver.com.

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