A federal judge in North Carolina has dismissed 47 potential jurors from the coming John Edwards trial, many because they said they couldn't fairly weigh evidence involving the former Democratic presidential candidate.
U.S. District Court Judge Catherine C. Eagles made her decisions Monday based on written questionnaires from 185 people summoned last week to the federal courthouse in Greensboro. Most of those dismissed indicated they had made up their minds about Edwards' guilt or innocence of alleged campaign-finance violations based on media reports. Others were dismissed because they had medical conditions or personal hardships.
Edwards has pleaded not guilty to six criminal counts related to secret payments from wealthy campaign donors used to hide his pregnant mistress as he sought the White House in 2008. Opening arguments begin Monday.
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