John Edwards trial: Jury dismissed for weekend amid possible issues
Former US senator John Edwards arrives at a memorial service for U.S. Sen. Edward Kennedy at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library in August 2009 in Boston.
The jury in the John Edwards corruption trial was dismissed for the long weekend Friday without reaching a verdict for the sixth day amid reports that a female alternate juror has been openly flirting with the 2008 presidential hopeful.
U.S. District Judge Catherine C. Eagles closed the courtroom to reporters for about 35 minutes Friday afternoon to talk to attorneys about a juror matter. When she reopened the courtroom, she said she would possibly take up the same "juror issue" Tuesday, The Associated Press reported.
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Before dismissing the jury, Edwards emphasized that the jurors can only talk about the case together, not in small groups, Greensboro, N.C., TV station WFMY reported.
It was unclear whether her comments were related to the "juror issue," and whether that issue was connected to an ABC News report Friday morning that one of the alternate female jurors has been openly flirting with Edwards.
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According to ABC News, the female alternate has been seen smiling and giggling at the blushing ex-senator, who is accused using nearly $1 million in campaign money from wealthy donors to hide former mistress Rielle Hunter and her pregnancy during his 2008 bid for the White House.
The charges carry a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison and a $1.5 million fine, according to CNN.
According to ABC News, the alternate juror's flirtation has become so obvious that even Edwards’ attorneys have struggled to supress their laughter.
Jury deliberations were set to resume on Tuesday.
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