The jury in the John Edwards case began its deliberations on Friday and left for the weekend with no verdict. They asked to see the checks that Bunny Mellon wrote. The jury of 5 African Americans and 6 whites with one person’s race unknown will decide his fate. Seven are men and 5 are women. A jury is like what Forest Gump called a “box of chocolates”. You never know what you will get. Right about now, one has to wonder if Edwards is thinking about the deal that he turned down. He knew what he would get with the plea offer. Going back in time before the indictment, the government offered Edwards a plea to a misdemeanor with 6 months in jail and the ability to keep his law license. He now faces up to 30 years in jail and over a $1 million fine for the 6 felonies he faces.. Hindsight is always 20-20. At that point in time, Edwards turned down the plea because it did not allow his attorneys to request a lower sentence than 6 months. And Edwards did not want to be away from his … [Read more...] about It’s All Over for John Edwards Except the Verdict
Archives for May 2012
John Edwards- Is He Guilty or Not Guilty?
The Edwards trial ended with a whimper instead of a bang, with the defense declining to call either John Edwards, Cate Edwards or ex-mistress Rielle Hunter. That tactic may end up in resulting in an acquittal of John Edwards as the defense focused primarily on campaign finance laws and violations. The prosecution with all of its baby mama drama, sex tapes, lying, cheating and stealing saga may have left out a key element of its case. The prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Edwards knowingly chose to violate the federal campaign laws and knew he was violating them. Even the government’s star witness, Andrew Young, testified that Edwards was at a meeting with his lawyers and advised Young that the donations by the benefactors totaling $1 million were not campaign donations. Bunny Mellon knew the money was being used for a mistress. And Fred Baron directly gave his money to the Youngs and Hunter for living expenses. The key two pieces of evidence that may save … [Read more...] about John Edwards- Is He Guilty or Not Guilty?
Is Same Sex Marriage a Distraction of the Real Issue?
President Obama announced on national TV his personal position on supporting same sex marriage. His personal position did not change federal, state or local law or policy. The states that oppose same sex marriage are still in place—over half of them. Recently, North Carolina opponents of same sex marriage took to the ballot box and voted a referendum against same sex marriage. And California’s referendum known as Proposition 8 is headed for the Supreme Court. Nothing has changed in those states. Yet, some gay marriage opponents are now talking about sitting out the election. And some Black clergy are talking about the difficulty that they may have with their congregations and getting out the vote in 2012. Let’s hold on for one moment long enough for people to get a grip on this issue. While same sex marriage is complicated in the African American community, taking a stand to sit out this election is even more than complicated. It’s insane. The real issue that exists is not being … [Read more...] about Is Same Sex Marriage a Distraction of the Real Issue?
John Edwards: A Case of Sex, Money, Lies and Videotapes
John Edwards, a once prominent trial lawyer, former US Senator, Democratic Presidential candidate and former 2004 Democratic Vice- Presidential candidate is now reduced to nothing more than sex, lies and videotapes. Edwards is on trial for his alleged federal campaign violations in an elaborate scheme to hide money being floated to Rielle Hunter, his mistress and mother of his child. Many prominent lawyers and legal analysts agree that the Government’s case is a bit of a stretch of campaign law violations. Edwards faces 6 counts of receiving illegal campaign funds, lying on campaign statements and willfully violating the law. He faces 30 years in jail and over $1 million in fines, if convicted. The final analysis is in the jury’s verdict. The government had offered Edwards a plea deal whereby he could keep his law license and serve a minimal time in jail. That should tell us something about the strength or should I say, weakness of the Government’s case. The case has already … [Read more...] about John Edwards: A Case of Sex, Money, Lies and Videotapes
Baltimore Judge Convicts Jewish Brother of Beating Black Teen
In a case that appears in some aspects similar to the Trayvon Martin case, Baltimore Circuit Court Judge Pamela White has found one Jewish brother guilty of assaulting a black teen, while walking in their Jewish neighborhood in 2010. The second brother was acquitted. The two brothers chose a trial before a judge, instead of their originally requested jury trial. The brothers stated they did not believe they could get a fair jury trial, in light of similarities between their case and the Trayvon Martin case. Prosecutors said that in November, 2010, Eliyahu Werdsheim and his brother Avi attacked the black teen, hitting him with a radio and holding him on the ground. Eliyahu testified that he acted in self-defense when the teen attacked him with a nail-studded plank. The judge rejected Eliyahu's claim of self-defense. And in a real twist of irony, the 16 year old black teen took the stand and refused to testify against the defendants. The teen, after taking the stand, said he … [Read more...] about Baltimore Judge Convicts Jewish Brother of Beating Black Teen