John Edwards Has ‘Serious’ Heart Condition, Trial Delayed
EmailThe criminal trial of John Edwards that was set to begin Jan. 30 will be delayed at least two months because the former Democratic presidential candidate has a “real and serious” heart condition that requires medical intervention.
Federal Judge Catherine Eagles granted the delay after noting that she had received two letters from Edwards’ cardiologist detailing the nature of the heart trouble.
While the precise condition was not discussed in open court, it was revealed that Edwards has had three “episodes” in recent weeks and that he is scheduled to undergo a procedure next month. Edwards has also been advised to avoid driving.
Edwards appeared “a little pale and gaunt” during a brief interaction inside the courthouse, where cameras are not permitted, according to Ed Crump, a reporter for ABC’s Raleigh affiliate WTVD who attended the court hearing today.
Edwards apparently managed to evade photographers on the way in and out of court this afternoon. At previous court appearances, Edwards has used the front entrance and has made no obvious effort to avoid being photographed.
A two-time presidential candidate and the 2004 Democratic vice presidential nominee, Edwards was charged in June in a six-count federal indictment alleging that he was complicit in an illegal scheme to funnel hundreds of thousands of dollars from two wealthy supporters to help support and seclude his pregnant mistress, Rielle Hunter, during the 2008 presidential campaign. Prosecutors allege those payments were intended to influence the election and therefore violated federal campaign laws.
Edwards pleaded not guilty to all the charges and his lawyers have described the government’s case as “crazy,” and that prosecutors are employing a radical interpretation of election law.
In requesting the delay, the defense team argued that Edwards has been unable to participate in trial preparations in the past month, resulting in their falling behind in their case work.
The judge has asked all parties to report back to her at the end of February for an update. The trial is now set to begin March 26, but might be subject to further delay.
The Associated Press and WTVD’s Ed Crump contributed to this report.
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This sure is convenient for him.
Posted by: befair1265 | January 13, 2012, 5:04 pm 5:04 pm
Don’t you have to have a heart for it to have a condition?
Posted by: Sophie | January 13, 2012, 5:16 pm 5:16 pm
I think I’d have heart problems too if I was staring at a long prison sentence after a life of extreme luxury, and my poor former wife who died of cancer while I screwed around and produced a love child. Sad. Very sad for his family.
Posted by: mahalo222 | January 13, 2012, 5:17 pm 5:17 pm
Yeah… something like reality sunk in and his blood pressure went up – out of fear of going to JAIL
Posted by: jeanne021556 | January 13, 2012, 5:18 pm 5:18 pm
His legal issues are causing him serious health problems. Why don’t the president issue a pardon and let him deal with his kids and the lose of his wife—even though they had marital issues.
Posted by: NoFlyZone2 | January 13, 2012, 5:31 pm 5:31 pm
_”Yeah… something like reality sunk in and his blood pressure went up – out of fear of going to JAIL”
POSTED BY: JEANNE021556 | JANUARY 13, 2012, 5:18 PM 5:18 PM_____________It can happen to anybody, including you and me.
Posted by: NoFlyZone2 | January 13, 2012, 5:34 pm 5:34 pm
Now now folks…. not having a heart can be serious too…
Posted by: keiffer | January 13, 2012, 5:57 pm 5:57 pm
Sure he has a serious heart condition: it’s called “remorse”. People with remorse — er, uh, heart conditions — still go to jail.
Posted by: RRH97006 | January 13, 2012, 6:20 pm 6:20 pm
I wonder if the “doctor” has considered the possible side effects (to his career) of issue such a letter
Posted by: s | January 13, 2012, 6:23 pm 6:23 pm
His deceased wife had a heart problem too… HE BROKE IT!!! Him and his skank, Rielle Hunter, need to both rot in jail!
Posted by: Dee | January 13, 2012, 6:51 pm 6:51 pm
What goes around comes around. I can’t feel sorry for him if he really does have a problem.
Posted by: Jean | January 13, 2012, 6:58 pm 6:58 pm
Funny how so many important people suddenly have “life threatening conditions” right before they are supposed to go on trial.
If I were a juror, I think that might prejudice me against him.
Posted by: thomas | January 13, 2012, 7:03 pm 7:03 pm
YEA, Befair1265, I do think he would have to have a heart in order to have a Heart condition which would keep him from trial. He has proven many times over that he is heartless. To his wife, his mistress and the baby he brought into the world and the American people when he lied while he smiled to us. This guy is worse than Blago ever thought of being and about as stupid!
Edwards needs to show he is a man and take his punishment and get it over with. He’s cost taxpayers and his family enough. Man Up Dude.
Posted by: Charles S. | January 13, 2012, 7:27 pm 7:27 pm
O.K…I’m guessing Atrial Fibrillation and they’ll do a cardiac conversion on him…CLEAR!…POW and OW (it hurts but you don’t remember it with the meds they give you). If I’m right, I guess you could say it’s “serious”…but it is rather common…we’ll see him in court
Posted by: sheila | January 13, 2012, 7:38 pm 7:38 pm
Didn’t he have it all, handsome, wealth, beautiful family? And wasn’t he close to running for president or vice president of our country–scary!
Posted by: jonnie | January 13, 2012, 8:06 pm 8:06 pm
Now see if you were a person without money, you wouldn’t get this luxury. I’m so sick of people that are famous or have money getting out of things that normally you wouldn’t.
Posted by: Mel | January 13, 2012, 8:32 pm 8:32 pm
Politicians are the lowest form of scum on this earth… The RICH run our Country, The WH, Congress, Supreme Court, Wallstreet and the Rich lowlifes that live in Hollywood… and we wonder why our country is in such a screwed up state.
Posted by: politiciansarescum | January 13, 2012, 8:35 pm 8:35 pm
After reading the comments posted here, I have come to the conclusion that President Obama is right – America is NOT a Christian nation.
Posted by: Johnny Dean | January 13, 2012, 9:04 pm 9:04 pm
I am NOT a Christian, I don’t even believe in God. Not sure what that has to do with people saying they truth.
Posted by: anotherday | January 13, 2012, 9:31 pm 9:31 pm
Only a politician could have his timing. sorry SOB.
Posted by: Whiteoak | January 13, 2012, 9:33 pm 9:33 pm
Yeah remember Enron? Ken Lay supposedly died before he could be sentenced. In reality he was given a new face and a new identity and is living among us, of course no doubt in the French Riviera, or some other elitist environment, Bush and company made sure of that. Not sure Edwards has that kind of clout since he’s not a Republican, but he might. Perhaps the “heart problems” are setting the stage for his faux death so he too can disappear into oblivion and live the life of Riley.
Posted by: nfission | January 13, 2012, 9:52 pm 9:52 pm
NFISSION said: “Yeah remember Enron? Ken Lay supposedly died before he could be sentenced. In reality he was given a new face and a new identity and is living among us, of course no doubt in the French Riviera, or some other elitist environment, Bush and company made sure of that. Not sure Edwards has that kind of clout since he’s not a Republican,”….. 1.. that is about one of the DUMBEST things I have ever read…… LOL.. now….IF the FAKE death stuff is true… now wouldn’t Edwards have enough CLOUT… there are more “RICHER” Dems in Congress than there are Republicans…. and John Edwards NET WORTH is 30 Million Dollars….
Posted by: anotherday | January 13, 2012, 10:34 pm 10:34 pm
I call BS.
Posted by: voiceofreason | January 13, 2012, 10:56 pm 10:56 pm
2 prominent defense strategies are delay and deny. Will this Edwards ‘heart condition’ turn out to be semantics, exaggeration, or the truth? Based on his history up til now, ….. . Time will tell.
Posted by: deanbob | January 14, 2012, 11:59 am 11:59 am
Good …. he broke his wife’s heart.
Posted by: Anna | January 14, 2012, 3:18 pm 3:18 pm
That’s nice ….. wonder if he ever thinks about how he broke his wife’s heart and also his family? But you have to have a heart to feel this.
Posted by: Anna | January 14, 2012, 3:21 pm 3:21 pm
I suspect this condition might be atrial fibrillation, and the “surgery” might be an ablation, which involves destroying aberrant nerve pathways for the the heart’s electrical system. Atrial fibrillation causes “episodes” of rapid heartbeat, breathlessnes, etc. which are usually _not_ life threatening. Multitudes of people live long lifetimes with paroxysmal (intermittent) or permanent afib. Living the risque life Edwards has lived is not recommended for people with a tendency toward afib. It can be stress-related and genetic.
Posted by: Margaret | January 14, 2012, 7:36 pm 7:36 pm
I pray for John Edwards health.
Posted by: kritik1 | January 15, 2012, 7:30 am 7:30 am
The skeptics will suspect that John Edwards is lying and faking about his medical condition. Is he? I do not think so.
Posted by: kritik1 | January 15, 2012, 7:44 am 7:44 am
@Margaret | January 14, 2012, 7:36 pm 7:36 pm … Why would you “pray” for that scumbag??? He is a POS and deserves everything coming to him!!!
Posted by: makemyday | January 16, 2012, 6:19 am 6:19 am
He did suffrr through the death of his child so I wonder ifhementally ill from the griec
Posted by: Andy | February 24, 2012, 8:09 am 8:09 am