Defense rests in trial of ex-governor, wife

2 painted as too alienated to conspire

Former Virginia first lady Maureen McDonnell, left, and her daughter Cailin Young arrive at federal court, Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2014, in Richmond, Va.  The defense in her corruption case is expected to rest today. McDonnell and his husband Bob, the former Virginia Governor, are charged with accepting more than $165,000 in gifts and loans from former Star Scientific Inc. CEO Jonnie Williams in exchange for promoting his company's dietary supplements.
Former Virginia first lady Maureen McDonnell, left, and her daughter Cailin Young arrive at federal court, Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2014, in Richmond, Va. The defense in her corruption case is expected to rest today. McDonnell and his husband Bob, the former Virginia Governor, are charged with accepting more than $165,000 in gifts and loans from former Star Scientific Inc. CEO Jonnie Williams in exchange for promoting his company's dietary supplements.

RICHMOND, Va. -- Attorneys for former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell and his wife wrapped up their case in the couple's corruption trial Wednesday by focusing on the idea that the marriage was so chilly that the couple could not have conspired together.

The defense presented a melancholic letter Bob McDonnell wrote to his wife professing his love for her, apologizing for his shortcomings, calling her out for hers, and begging her to work with him to save the marriage.

While Maureen McDonnell didn't testify, defense witnesses talked about her infatuation and "mild obsession" with former Star Scientific Chief Executive Officer Jonnie Williams.

Bob and Maureen McDonnell went on trial in July over accusations that they accepted more than $165,000 in gifts and loans from Williams, the former head of the maker of dietary supplements, in exchange for helping promote his company's products.

The ex-governor, once a rising star in the Republican Party who was widely considered a possible Mitt Romney running mate in 2012, spent more than four days on the witness stand testifying in his own defense. McDonnell acknowledged using poor judgment and said he now regrets accepting the gifts from Williams, who was seeking state-backed research for his company's tobacco-derived dietary supplement, Anatabloc.

Asked by defense attorney Henry Asbill if he risked his future and his family's by committing the crimes alleged in a 14-count indictment, McDonnell firmly responded, "No."

In the letter McDonnell wrote to his wife on Labor Day 2011, he said he was lonely sometimes. "I want to be in love, not just watch movies about it."

The letter continued: "I am so spiritually and mentally exhausted from being yelled at. I don't think you realize how you are affecting me and sometimes others with your tongue."

He said he got in the habit of working late to avoid going home and dealing with his wife's rage. He said he moved out of the family home and into the rectory of a Catholic church for the duration of the trial for much the same reason.

Maureen McDonnell did not testify. But on Wednesday, the couple's eldest daughter said her parents' marriage had been troubled for many years and her mom had developed "a mild obsession" with Williams.

Jeanine McDonnell said her parents rarely spoke to each other in private, going back decades. She also said her mother developed an unusually close friendship with Williams.

The McDonnells have said that they viewed Williams as a personal friend and they were comfortable accepting his gifts because he never sought any favors from them.

Jeanine McDonnell made clear she no longer thinks highly of Williams, who earlier testified under immunity. She drew a mild admonishment from the judge when she said she returned a $10,000 check from Williams, intended as a housewarming present, "once we learned that Jonnie himself was a criminal."

She said as far back as 20 years ago, her father was rarely home and her mother was left largely alone to raise the couple's five kids. Jeanine McDonnell said she believed, even as a child, that her mother was depressed. She said Maureen McDonnell took long baths and threw herself into soap operas to counter her loneliness.

A Section on 08/28/2014

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