Health issues delay John Edwards' trial

GREENSBORO -- A little more than a year after his wife died from a very public bout with cancer, health issues are again playing a large role in the saga of John Edwards.

But it's unclear exactly what the issue is for the former U.S. presidential candidate and senator.

A hearing Friday in federal court revealed some details, but left many questions.

Judge Catherine Eagles, in agreeing to grant Edwards a delay of at least two months in his pending criminal trial, said in open court that she had received letters from a cardiologist stating that Edwards suffers from a "serious condition" that was diagnosed in December.

The letters said people with this illness who follow a prescribed course of treatment often do very well, according to the judge.

"The letters from Mr. Edwards' physicians are pretty clear this is a serious condition," Eagles said.

Since the December diagnosis, Eagles said, Edwards has had three specific incidents that caused him problems.

Physicians have advised him against driving and attending hearings in his criminal case until he can receive a scheduled treatment in February.

"The long hours associated with this trial would reduce the success of his upcoming treatment," Eagles said shortly before granting the third postponement.

Ordinarily, Eagles said, she would try to schedule around such a medical issue and keep the trial moving on track.

But she said she was persuaded by the defense team and letters from physicians to wait until at least late March to begin jury selection in a case that could pull back the curtain on the inner workings of a national political campaign.

Edwards, 58, is accused of flouting campaign finance laws by secretly obtaining hundreds of thousands of dollars from two wealthy supporters to hide his mistress and her pregnancy from the public during his unsuccessful bid for president in 2008.

The payments covered living, medical and other expenses for Rielle Hunter, a videographer with whom Edwards had an extramarital affair and a daughter. Prosecutors argue that the donations were campaign contributions meant to hide the affair so Edwards could keep his 2008 presidential bid alive. They also contend the contributions exceeded legal limits.

Edwards in court

Edwards - whose wife, Elizabeth, died of breast cancer in December 2010 - has said he did not break the law and that he looks forward to his day in court.

Edwards was in court briefly Friday but did not speak during the public portion of the hearing.

Prosecutors and the defense team went behind closed doors with the judge for a few minutes to discuss new information from Edwards' doctors.

Prosecutors agree

Prosecutors, who had opposed a delay based on defense arguments of not having enough time to pore over the volume of information associated with the case, did not object to a postponement based on the medical issue.

Eagles asked the defense to give her an update on the medical issue by Feb. 28, and tentatively set the start of jury selection for the last week in March.

The lawyers have said the trial could last two months.

Eagles said she hoped to have it finished before summer, when it is more difficult to get a jury because of scheduled vacations and other related issues.