U.S. District Court Judge Catherine Eagles has ruled that Greensboro attorneys Alan Duncan and Allison Van Laningham may represent former Sen. John Edwards in his upcoming criminal trial on charges of campaign finance violations.
Duncan and Van Laningham had previously represented former Edwards mistress Rielle Hunter in her lawsuit against former aide Andrew Young over an alleged sex tape. The N&O reports “Duncan and Van Laningham have not represented Hunter on criminal issues linked to the Edwards case,” and Hunter “signed a waiver dropping any objections to Edwards hiring the new lawyers.” However, if Hunter is called to testify, Duncan and Van Laningham would not be allowed to cross examine.
What jumped out at me was Eagles’ concern for Edwards’ stress levels during this, uh, incredibly trying time for the former senator:
Eagles told Edwards that shaking up his defense team was likely causing him stress, something the former senator’s doctor said in a private letter to the judge Edwards should avoid to protect his health. The judge asked Edwards whether he was taking any narcotics or other medications that might fog his judgment before trial.
“I’m taking a bunch of medication. No narcotics, to answer that question,” said Edwards, who appeared sharp and relaxed. “If I have memory problems, they’re not because of the medicine.”
Why do I have the feeling Edwards will have a few memory problems during the trial?
