John Edwards Case Illustrates Many Legal Issues For Charlotte Defendants

After nine days of deliberations, on May 31, 2012, the jury finally delivered their verdict in the John Edwards trial. On five of the six counts Edwards faced for violating campaign finance laws, the jury was deadlocked and unable to determine Edwards' guilt. Given the jury's inability to reach a conclusion on these charges, Judge Catherine Eagles declared a mistrial on these five counts. On the sixth charge, the jury unanimously found Edwards not guilty. Sources seem to suggest that the government will not seek a new trial on the five counts.

Edwards' trial centered around his use of campaign finances to hide his pregnant mistress during his presidential campaign. After the jury deliberations were read, Edwards openly admitted to public that his actions were immoral and wrong. However, he specifically made it clear that his actions were not illegal, thus illustrating the principle that wrong does not always amount to illegal.