John Edwards Jury Deadlocked, Sent Back to Continue Deliberation

A federal judge told jurors in the John Edwards trial that they must continue deliberating, just moments after the jury announced a verdict - on one of six counts.

The courtroom was briefly thrown into confusion this afternoon in Greensboro, N.C.

All sides were told a verdict had been reached, but once in court, the jury announced it had only reached a unanimous verdict on Count 3 of the indictment.

On the other five counts, the jury was deadlocked. The Count 3 verdict was not read.

Edwards' defense team asked the judge to accept the verdict on Count 3 and declare a mistrial on other charges. The judge considered, but denied that motion.

Judge Catherine Eagles told the jury, who has been deliberating in the case since May 18, must continue to work towards a verdict on the other charges.

The trial centers around whether Edwards illegally received over $700,000 in donations to conceal his illicit affair and illegitimate child with Rielle Hunter.

The nearly month-long trial at times sounded more like a steamy soap opera about his life than a trial on the intricacies of campaign finance rules.

Charged with six counts of violating federal campaign laws, Edwards was accused of soliciting money to cover up his affair and advance his election bid.

If convicted, Edwards faces up to 30 years in prison and be fined more than $1 million, although it is unlikely he will face the most severe penalties.

Any lies John told, his lawyers, were to keep the affair a secret from his wife, Elizabeth, who was dying of cancer, not to advance his political career.

In short, being an ass is not illegal.

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