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Testimony of former Edwards aide's wife important?

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    Debate over former politician's trial

  • Duration 5:10
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Court and on -- witness continuing her testimony she used the wife of Andrew Young who testified about John Edwards and campaign money.

Going it is alleged by the prosecution.

To his lover the mother of his child.

It's pretty shocking and today they're talking about a cross country Odyssey to try to cover up an epic political scandal.

This wife.

Sherri is on -- stand right now.

It's a criminal trial and -- give details of a coordinated effort the prosecution argues to conceal the candidates pregnant mistress from the media a real honor.

Moved from North Carolina to a posh hotel in Florida and then to Colorado ski resorts eventually to a ritzy California neighborhood.

They bought a house with the money it's alleged Jennifer bond -- is a criminal defense attorney Jason Friedman former prosecutor both sides represented here.

Great to see both of you let's start with the case Jason prosecutor and prosecution.

First question is how critical is her testimony because breaking news she says on the stand look I was put in a position to protect my husband.

And I and made John Edwards tell me specifically over the phone that what we were doing was legal.

What's the impact on the prosecution's case.

No what obviously is a very big impact because the key to this prosecution like with many is what did you know and when did you know it.

Clearly money changed hands here the question is was that money designated for his campaign.

And then it but was did it go above the legal limit.

And -- it was.

That it was used for something other than his campaign I think with the prosecution is trying to do here is I quickly changed this trial -- -- about.

Boring campaign -- finance laws.

The one about you know sex and mistresses on a cover up.

Tackling -- -- -- may -- not the most interesting of the issues.

Jennifer but I want to ask you if you think campaign -- laws should or will change as a result of this case.

Well.

I think perhaps the result will determine that.

I think if John Edwards is convicted.

It will create all types of ambiguity in campaign laws and as you may be aware John Edwards is anticipating presenting to expert witnesses from the Federal Election Commission who and who are going to come forward and testify that the money's.

We're not legitimate contributions.

To the campaign that they were personal funds I know there's an objection but under the federal rules of evidence he's probably going to be allowed to -- present that expert testimony.

But the really issue his.

If the government's case hinges on the testimony of Andrew in Cheri young and they should probably hang it up now why -- -- these two individuals lack all.

Credibility.

And they use money is themselves and exorbitant amount of monies to enrich their own personal lives.

And they are co conspirators who are cooperating with the government.

In order to avoid prosecution themselves which is a great.

Motivation.

Jail is a very strong motivating factor when determining -- happy -- you're saying they made a deal.

Yeah animated deal they won't be charged because Jason my question for you as a prosecutor is could not one of them have said I'm not testifying.

Against John Edwards because that's essentially testifying against my husband.

Is there not some marital.

Exemption that could have.

Allow them both not to participate in the case.

Not not in this particular case because neither one of them at that at the point the -- that -- the fire actually the subject of criminal -- -- that -- right or wrong not think that's the right thing to do because that's the only chance they have is to get a conviction against John Edwards is the flip one -- both of these witnesses.

Listen to try to paint the picture of impropriety here with finances yes these witnesses also -- large chunk of money for their own personal gain.

But the prosecution is saying look they're doing it under John Edwards.

Sanctioning -- he's saying it's okay and they're all.

You know other hand and we have to believe that we have to believe them to jump to that conclusion and Jennifer I think there's a game -- now with this breaking news that Cheri young is arguing that she specifically.

Asked Edwards whether or not it was legal and he said it was.

At least according to her testimony if we believe it.

She had a question back to remind whether it was -- it was saying why aren't they charge well and slightly young has been granted immunity.

Which he needed in order to testify.

But you say the cases -- -- the -- is the start witness isolated I guess you -- we don't know how bad deal we don't have Bonnie -- we don't have Fred -- we don't have that in the actual contributors themselves testify about what it in the least what they thought the money was going toward.

Which would about -- the critical piece of evidence.

I'll we have only -- word of these two individuals unless the government has some other corroborating evidence that we haven't heard about yet.

And given.

The bias.

And motivations that they had themselves to not only prevent themselves from being prosecuted but also just -- financial gain -- -- -- right I got I got to let you guys go to Jennifer.

And and Jason because we have breaking news coming in right now but really interesting points in this case worth watching.

Thing for sure thank you thank him.

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