Jury at Edwards trial resumes talks

Associated Press

Updated: May 21, 2012 10:39 AM

GREENSBORO, N.C. (AP) — The jury deciding the fate of John Edwards has resumed deliberations in North Carolina following a weekend break.

The former presidential candidate faces 30 years in prison after pleading not guilty to six campaign finance corruption charges. The jury began considering its decision Friday, after nearly four weeks of testimony. Deliberations continued Monday morning.

Prosecutors have accused the Democrat of masterminding a scheme to use nearly $1 million in secret payments from two wealthy donors to help hide his pregnant mistress as he sought the White House in 2008.

Neither Edwards nor his mistress took the witness stand. Defense attorneys argued Edwards had little direct knowledge of the cover up, which they say was directed by his campaign finance chairman and a trusted aide who falsely claimed paternity of his boss's baby.

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