John Edwards Pleads Not Guilty, Insists ‘I Did Not Break The Law’

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by Mark Joyella | 3:51 pm, June 3rd, 2011

» 24 comments

Former Senator John Edwards, who was the Democratic vice presidential nominee in 2004, has entered a not guilty plea in a North Carolina courtroom, telling reporters he’s sorry for what he has done, but he has broken no law. “There’s no question I’ve done wrong,” Edwards told reporters outside the courthouse, “and I will regret for the rest of my life the pain and the harm that I have caused to others. But I did not break the law, and I never ever thought I was breaking the law.”

The plea comes after a federal grand jury indicted Edwards on charges he conspired to cover up an extramarital affair during the 2008 campaign by “secretly obtaining,” money from donors and then misusing and misreporting the donations. The indictment says Edwards was driven by a desire to hide his affair–and the birth of a child–from his wife and reporters.

According to the indictment, it was essential to hide the affair, as it threatened his viability as a national political figure. “A centerpiece of Edwards’s candidacy was his public image as a devoted family man.”

Edwards and his lawyer insist the former VP candidate has not broken any laws. How’s the government’s case look? Judge Andrew Napolitano believes it’s far from “a slam dunk” and argues the government may be “stretching.”

Watch Edwards’ comments, from CNN, and Napolitano’s reaction, from Fox News:

2008 campaign, Indictment, John Edwards, North Carolina, Not Guilty Plea

TeaPartyNation

The lunatic-left socialist media hid the facts about the scandalous affair of lunatic-left d-cRAT socialist slimebag edwards for many, many months (while his wife was dying of cancer!). They found it better just to concentrate on their ALL-HUSSEIN, ALL-THE-TIME propaganda.

But the truth about slimebags has a way of getting out, and now that edwards has been exposed the voters are finally beginning to smell the stench from the outrageous behavior of the socialist media in its distortions, misrepresentations, lies and cover-ups. They are also beginning to understand that the socialist media has fully and completely abandoned all journalistic ethics and will do anything to ensure victory for their favorite left-wing candidates.

In November 2012 the voters will, hopefully, reflect their disgust and outrage over how they have been treated by the socialist media by voting appropriately.
Colorado_Conservative

You’ve lost all credibility Edwards….You lied and lied and lied…cheated on your wife who was dying of cancer…lied about…..knocked her up and lied about it……used campaign funds to cover up and lied about that too…..why should anyone give you a shred of credibility now? What have you done to gain any respect?

I could tell you exactly what you are but it would get censored and rightfully so!!!!
I hope no plead deals are made to keep you out prison…you deserve to be behind bars!!!
Emma

John Edwards’ only regret is getting caught.
Skippy

President Obama should be signing a pardon as we speak.

El Chimperor Bush pardoned a traitor, so to pardon an adulterer doesn’t even count.
Colorado_Conservative

Skippy said:
President Obama should be signing a pardon as we speak.

El Chimperor Bush pardoned a traitor, so to pardon an adulterer doesn’t even count.

Obama is busy making a fool out of himself…again…at the Jeep Wrangler plant!
rubberneck

Based on the punditry (right and left), this seems to be a tough case for the government. They are also waging it in his home state. Edwards is a dope/jerk, but his legal chops are bar none superior. It will be interesting to watch it all unfold.
http://www.mediaite.com/tv/glenn-beck-explains-how-the-unions-are-using-teachers-firefighters-and-co ImNotBlue

Skippy said:
President Obama should be signing a pardon as we speak.

El Chimperor Bush pardoned a traitor, so to pardon an adulterer doesn’t even count.

And who are you talking about this time?
tatboy

I am not a crook……
emptyspace

John Edwards was the Democratic vice presidential nominee in 2004 not 2008.
Moderate

“I never ever thought I was breaking the law.”

Narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) is a personality disorder.[1]
The narcissist is described as being excessively preoccupied with issues of personal adequacy, power, prestige and vanity. Narcissistic personality disorder is closely linked to self-centeredness.
http://www.mediaite.com/tv/glenn-beck-explains-how-the-unions-are-using-teachers-firefighters-and-co ImNotBlue

Skippy said:
Sean KKKlownnity, is that you?

Another BFD. Edwards is nothing in the current political landscape. But you gNOpigs are having fits over this, over nothing.

Um… I’m sorry. Did that answer my question? Who were you talking about?
WillP

Apparently, John Edwards did not want to admit to a felony because he wants to resume practice as a lawyer in the future. I just have one question. Who in the world would hire this scumbag as their lawyer now?
Jaurez

5:10=personal attack and racist

A trial lawyer heading for his own trial….makes me all tingly. ;)
Skippy

How about you tell me who John Edwards is and why I should be worried.

Somehow, somewhere, this is news.

Is it?
tatboy

Skippy said:
President Obama should be signing a pardon as we speak. El Chimperor Bush pardoned a traitor, so to pardon an adulterer doesn’t even count.

A “traitor’ that commited the same crime as Clinton??? Oooooo burn…….
TeaPartyNation

‘I Did Not Break The Law’

…that’s the 2011 version of “I am NOT a CROOK”, as just as big of a lie.
Barack Must Go

John Edwards Pleads Not Guilty, Insists ‘I Did Not Break The Law’ I had others around me break it for me.
notsofast

John, if you had only sent women dick-shots, the libs would give ya a standing ovation!
tatboy

Emma said:
John Edwards’ only regret is getting caught.

Like any politician… that is true.
anada75

He was the VP Democratic candidate in 2004, not 2008. He ran for President in 2008.
MediaWhat

Guys like Edwards have been getting away with this stuff for years. He will maintain his implausible denials until he is convicted, but you can bet he will never serve any time. The powerful have their priviledges and going to federal prison isn’t included in the picture.

How anyone can defend these people – on both sides of politics – is beyond belief.
Davo

MediaWhat said:
Guys like Edwards have been getting away with this stuff for years. He will maintain his implausible denials until he is convicted, but you can bet he will never serve any time. The powerful have their priviledges and going to federal prison isn’t included in the picture.

How anyone can defend these people – on both sides of politics – is beyond belief.

Edwards’ defense should be, “Yeah, I did it…………so what? I’m a Demoncrat. Everybody knows laws are only for Republicans.”
http://none pyrope

He might not have broken the law, but what DID he break?

Answer: His wife’s heart as she lay dying of cancer. The trust of anyone who ever voted for or supported him. The belief that a man must be better than those whom they propose to serve.
http://none pyrope

MediaWhat said:
How anyone can defend these people – on both sides of politics – is beyond belief.

We are guaranteed the worst government that we will put up with. Equal responsibility must fall on those who elevated him to power.