Politico reports on efforts by John Edwards attorneys to seek the right to call former FEC commissioners as defense experts in Edwards’ early 2012 trial related to nearly $1 million used to hide/support former mistress Rielle Hunter from the public. The commissioners would reportedly support Edwards’ view that the cash did not constitute political donations to his presidential campaign. Prosecutors say otherwise. As sleazy and reprehensible as Edwards’ actions were, I tend to agree with his argument, which is why I’m fascinated by the prospect of Edwards testifying in his defense. I want to hear him make the case.
However, defense lawyers Abby Lowell and Jim Cooney contend in a new court filing Monday (posted here) that presenting such experts is not only appropriate in cases involving highly technical legal fields, but that denying Edwards the right to do so would violate his fair trial rights.
The new filing suggests strongly but does not say outright that Edwards will testify in his own defense at trial, if the case gets that far.
