Jury selection has begun in the criminal trial of former North Carolina senator John Edwards.
Jeff Tiberii: On Thursday about 200 potential jurors entered a federal court room in Greensboro and were greeted by the blue eyes of John Edwards. The 2004 Vice Presidential nominee looked directly at each prospective member of the jury as they entered the room to receive instructions. Judge Catherine Eagles instructed the possible jurors not to discuss the case with anyone, including each other. Edwards was accompanied to court by his oldest daughter Kate and elderly parents. He鈥檚 charged with six counts of federal campaign finance violations and is facing up to 30 years in prison if convicted. Prosecutors say he used more than 900 thousand dollars to hide an affair and child he fathered with a former campaign staffer. Defense attorney鈥檚 counter that the charges are unprecedented and that the money used was not a campaign contribution, but a gift. Court is in recess until Monday morning. This trial is expected to last six weeks.
