Shame

Justice Dept. Failed Edwards Case

Retrial unlikely after deadlock.

The mistrial in the case against former senator John Edwards is being seen as a huge blow to the Justice Department, as the decision to file criminal charges was made last year by Assistant Attorney General Lanny Breuer. After nine days of deliberation, the jury deadlocked on five of the six counts against Edwards, including charges that he illegally used millions of campaign funds to hide his pregnant mistress, Rielle Hunter, from the media during his 2008 bid for the White House. Three of the jurors went on the Today show Friday and said while all three of them believed that Edwards knew about the money, they didn't think the prosecution had enough evidence to convict. They said there had been one person who insisted on conviction and could not be swayed.