John Edwards, Cheri Young | featured news

As prosecutors head into the final week of their case, the issue of John Edwards’ mindset looms large. During week two of the trial, Cheri Young, wife of former Edwards’ aide Andrew Young, along with former Edwards staffers, described a reckless, feckless Edwards who -- thanks to his extramarital affair with campaign videographer Rielle Hunter -- imperiled his campaign, destroyed his marriage and nearly ruined another, that of the Youngs. Time and again, the testimony brought to mind one phrase: What was he thinking?!

The wife of a former aide to John Edwards rebuffed questions Tuesday about whether she had any incentive to lie to hurt the former presidential candidate. "Sir, I'm here to tell the truth about my experiences, about my life," Cheri Young said in response to one of Edwards' defense lawyers. "It was a lie when we accepted paternity for your client and that is why we are here today."

A judge has found former John Edwards aide Andrew Young and his wife, Cheri, in contempt of court for not turning over a sex tape featuring the former senator and his mistress, Rielle Hunter.