FALL FROM GRACE
By: Hope Wilkos, Writer/Blogger Photographer: George Whylie Videographer: Maxine NolanJohn Edwards, once a successful attorney and the hopeful Democratic Vice-Presidential nominee in 2004, has fallen from grace.
Monday, April 23, 2012, marked the beginning of his trial where if convicted for six felony and misdemeanor counts, he could face a total of 30 years in prison. The former senator is accused of using campaign funds from 101 year-old heiress, Rachel “Bunny” Mellon and another Texas donor in order to conceal his affair with Rielle Hunter. Rielle spent a great deal of time working very closely with Edwards as campaign photographer. The funds total over $1 million which was thought to have paid for Hunter’s medical and living expenses as well as travel and accommodations over the course of that period of time.
Edwards is accused of concealing the money from the Federal Election Commission by filing false and misleading campaign disclosure reports.
Continuously having denied the affair with Rielle Hunter, John Edwards finally came forward and admitted to not only the affair but also to the claims that he fathered her child. This led to the ultimate breakup of his marriage. His wife, Elizabeth Edwards, died of cancer in December of 2010 and while they were no longer together, he was present at her side during her final days, final hours.
The first witness to the stand in this trial is Andrew Young, a former Edward’s aide with credibility issues of his own. At one point, Edwards and Young had a very close friendship. Young himself once claimed to be the father of Hunter’s child. He wrote “The Politician: An Insider’s Account of John Edward’s Pursuit of the Presidency and the Scandal that Brought Him Down”. This was Young’s observation of the situation throughout the campaign and put onto the pages of a book. Young is testifying for the prosecution under a cooperation agreement with the hopes that he will not be prosecuted himself.
John Edwards entered the courtroom on Monday morning looking very somber and steadfast. His oldest daughter and his parents accompanied him. This is a very trying time for Edwards and he may have a great deal to lose. The former politician refused a plea bargain that would have only put him in prison for a few months and allowed him to keep his law license. Of the sixteen jury members, there are a total of seven women of whom four are alternate jurors.
It is difficult to tell what the verdict will be but was is known is that John Edwards has a long and trying road ahead of him in the coming days and coming weeks.
PHOTO CREDITS: A/P and Getty Images
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