GREENSBORO, N.C. — A mistrial has been declared in the campaign fraud trial against ex-presidential candidate John Edwards.
Jurors on Thursday acquitted John Edwards of one of six counts involving him taking money from wealthy heiress Rachel “Bunny” Mellon. They told Judge Catherine Eagles they are deadlocked on the other five charges against him.
Eagles declared a mistrial.
The jurors have been deliberating for about nine days.
Edwards was accused of masterminding a plan to use money from wealthy donors to hide his pregnant mistress as he sought the White House in 2008. Defense attorneys say Edwards did not knowingly break campaign finance laws. They also say the payments to hide his mistress Rielle Hunter were gifts, not campaign contributions.
Edwards was charged with six criminal counts. They included conspiracy to violate the Federal Election Campaign Act, accepting contributions that exceeded limits and causing his campaign to file a false financial disclosure report.
Would have faced up to 30 years in prison if convicted of all charges.
Read tomorrow's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.
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