Jury Selection begins tomorrow in Edwards trial

The criminal trial of former North Carolina senator John Edwards begins April 23rd, and jury selection begins tomorrow.

The former democratic presidential candidate is hoping that eventual jury will clear him of alleged campaign finance violations, and keep him from being sent to prison.

Raleigh attorney Kieran Shanahan told NBC-17, he expects the selection to last only a day or two. And the trial itself, just a few weeks.

“If I were a defense lawyer on behalf of Mr. Edwards, I would be looking for jurors who say, ‘enough is enough. He has been kicked down, he has lost everything, and the prosecution seems to be a bit of an overreach.”

He continued, “The prosecution is going to look for people who are good rule followers, cause ultimately the judge is going to instruct the jury as to the law, and the law does not favor John Edwards {in this case}.”

The proceedings Thursday will take place at the federal courthouse in downtown Greensboro. Two sets of jury pools will be brought in, one in the morning, another in the afternoon.

Edwards was indicted last year, accused of spending nearly $1 million in campaign cash to help hide his pregnant mistress as he ran for president in 2008.

http://www2.nbc17.com/news/2012/apr/11/jury-selection-begins-tomorrow-edwards-trial-ar-2151513/