John Edwards asks to delay trial, citing illness

RALEIGH, N.C. - Former presidential candidate John Edwards says he has been diagnosed with a medical condition that would make it difficult for him to attend his approaching criminal trial over campaign finances and is asking for it to be delayed.

In a motion filed Thursday, Edwards' lawyers asked a federal judge to delay the start of the Jan. 30 trial for at least two months. They did not disclose his illness and filed sealed records with the court.

"The Defendant has a medical issue ... that will prevent a trial of this matter during the January 2012 Criminal Term," the motion says. "The failure to grant a continuance would be likely to result in a miscarriage of justice."

Members of the defense team could not immediately be reached for comment.

Federal prosecutors filed a separate motion opposing the delay, saying they are ready to try Edwards on six felony and misdemeanor counts related to nearly $1 million from wealthy donors used to help hide his pregnant mistress during his 2008 run for the While House.

Edwards, a Democrat, denies knowingly violating the law and has pleaded not guilty.

The start date of the trial has already been put back once after Edwards said he needed more time to prepare his defense and attend his daughter's wedding.

Edwards appeared healthy last week at a pretrial hearing in the case.

[LeslieBrodie]

Quite frightening to think of Edwards as the president of the US. However, speedy and complete recovery.

Do you think Edwards seeks to delay the trial until a verdict is reached in the trial of his confederate Pierce O'Donnell ? See @: http://lesliebrodie.blog.co.uk/2011/12/21/pierce-o-donnell-a-fraudster-with-prior-criminal-conviction-seeks-to-narrow-scope-of-evidence-in-united-states-of-america-v-pierce-o-donnell-plan-12336688/

[kathrynlynch]

He's sick all right. He has a raging case of cowardice, otherwise known as can't-face-it itis.

[MalloryDavis]

Oh yea...he's sick alright...mental illness won't kill a person per se, but in his case we can only hope. I am sorry to everyone that I have 'w'itched at for prejudging. It appears that I am just as bad...but he is such an evil creep because of what he did to Elizabeth. And the things he said about studying the poor while he is living in a fancy house and caused the home prices to price a guy out of the area. He's a fraud and a liar.

I wonder if Pat Robertson would say that it is ok to leave your wife and have an affair if wife is at death's door.

[bradoxn]

Come on! You expect us to believe that? He's probably getting that swiss bank account ready so he can leave the country

[joelschl]

Please.. you don't get to select when you will be put on trial for a criminal act. Unbelievable how arrogant this guy is... sickening.. what a sorry excuse for a human being Edwards is.

[pamerossi3]

So sorry to hear of his illness, couldn't happen to a nicer guy. Maybe he will understand now what his wife went through.

[Jaylah54]

We can only hope his "illness" is terminal, too.

[fishtale63]

He didn't stop being an a$$hole when his wife was sick. SCREW HIM!!!

[werntrouble]

Sleazy, scum-ball tactics from one of the worst examples of manhood ever born.

[ccfsdca]

being as ******* isn't a medical condition, it's a lifestyle choice that does not make one unable to attend court.

[jwilsonte]

Hes a sleez ball lawyer and he know with drs. note that will more likely extend the start date.... not all lawyers are such scum only takes a few to make all look bad.he has a right to a few cont. they will have to drag him to jail.