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Lawyers for John Edwards begin defense case

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    Legal panel weighs in on trial

  • Duration 4:01
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Well it is now the defense's turn in the John Edwards corruption trial his lawyers are making their case that he did not violate campaign finance laws.

In an effort to hide his affair with -- -- hunter.

An affair which resulted in a baby.

Let's talk about -- with a Rachel's self a criminal defense attorney and face Jenkins a former prosecutor.

Faith the defense moved for dismissal of all charges the judge said no should the -- prosecution take that as a positive sign.

-- absolutely I mean the prosecutor at this point I think they're pretty confident in the case -- they have built in showing bad.

You know John it -- not only knew about this money but he played a -- role in obtaining this money.

And -- getting it to go into these accounts to take care of real hunter I think they're.

Feeling pretty confident about the case that they have presented and be able to argue to the jury that feel this is not just in Maine who was interest in protecting his family look at his behavior -- scare all of these things that he did he wanted to become president.

And that's why this money was so important to him.

But Rachel you have said you don't think this case works for the prosecution.

Now I don't think it works and I still don't think it -- after 24 witnesses and lots of salacious testimony and lots of steamy heat kills.

They still haven't provided a direct hit they still haven't connected the dots the John Edwards.

Actually committed -- crime here.

And the fact that the judge denied the directed verdict last week that's actually a very common thing because when a director verdict is what a motion for directed verdict has made.

It's -- and it has to be heard in the light most favorable to the prosecution.

So in this particular instance for the judge to let -- go forward to a jury with everything that he heard is not unusual.

But I don't think that they've got a case -- Well -- there's been some pretty dramatic moments he did it in his case face like.

You know testimony about how John Edwards late wife confronted him and and you know sort of tore her shirt open and said you know if you don't want me anymore that kind of thing.

That's all -- -- work against him as as the jurors.

Consider.

You know whether to convict Cameron.

It absolutely worked against him and it also puts more -- more pressure.

On Johnny at -- to take the witness stand in -- case because at this point he's facing an uphill battle these jurors they probably don't like him.

He has lost all credibility in -- I think -- out all of these lies to cover up.

It's if -- -- all these lies to his family how devastated his wife was so it puts more pressure on him to take the witness stand -- try to explain all.

This money why who and why they should not believe -- -- money was used to help him to become president.

And the racially is a pretty slick courtroom operator I mean he made millions for himself convincing juries that -- you know his client was.

In the rides or -- had been wrong to should he take the witness.

Well I agree with faith as far as the fact that he's very well might want to take the witness stand in this case and as you said.

He's so slick and so smooth he could convince a long tailed -- to -- throw throw.

A -- a rocking chairs right I mean that's just his style that's me is he's also so selfish and narcissistic and being a trial lawyer himself he might convince himself that the best thing he can do.

Is get up there and talk to the jury.

And convince them at his side of the story.

But the bottom line remains that the law is the law here and this is still going to be a very difficult case for the prosecution to prove.

That a crime was actually committed being a bad person cheating on your -- fathering an illegitimate child all not necessarily -- of of campaign finance law.

I think it I -- it comes down to a simple question does this money get this money have an ability on his impact you can't handle the answer is yes he's guilty.

We'll see what -- it's not.

Live for one would love to hear him testify but we'll see whether he actually takes the -- -- not face and Rachel thank you thank you both for being with us.

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