TRIAL

Edwards Defense Rests

Defendant, Hunter not called to testify.

Defense attorneys for John Edwards wrapped up their case Wednesday without calling their client to the stand, and his mistress, Rielle Hunter, will not testify in the trial. Some watchers expected Hunter to testify since she could back up that Edwards had no direct knowledge of a secret effort to take care of her and keep her out of the public eye. However, an appearance from her would have posed a problem since she also serves as a reminder of his lies in their affair. Edwards faces six counts of campaign-finance violations, and he is accused of using campaign donations from two wealthy donors to hide his affair with Hunter and their daughter.