“Edwards did what the evidence will show he always did … deny, deceive and manipulate”

Politico gives a good brief summary of yesterday’s opening statements in the John Edwards trial in Greensboro federal court. Edwards faces six counts of campaign finance violations over the nearly $1 million he took to hike mistress Rielle Hunter. From prosecutor David Harbach:

“He had to keep it quiet. If the affair went public, it would destroy any chance he had to be president, and he knew it,” Harbach said. “He made a choice to break the law — a very simple law that says the most a presidential candidate can accept [from any individual] is $2,300.”

“Edwards did what the evidence will show he always did … deny, deceive and manipulate,” Harbach contended.

And then from Edwards attorney AllisonVan Laningham:

“John Edwards is a man who has committed many sins but no crimes,” Van Laningham said in her opening. “We aren’t going to judge John Edwards for his sins.”