Quick verdict not likely as jury weighs Edwards' fate

Jurors retired to deliberate the fate of former presidential candidate John Edwards. NBC's Lisa Myers reports from Greensboro, N.C.

By Stacey Klein, NBC News, and M. Alex Johnson, msnbc.com

A jury of eight men and four women began deliberations Friday in the trial of former Sen. John Edwards and quickly signaled that it could be some time before they reach a verdict.

Chris Vaughn of NBC station WXII in Winston-Salem, N.C., and Ben Thompson of NBC station WCNC in Charlotte, N.C., contributed to this report by Stacey Klein of NBC News and M. Alex Johnson of msnbc.com. Follow M. Alex Johnson on Twitter and Facebook.

The racially diverse jury, which includes three members with finance-related jobs, is considering whether Edwards, the 2004 Democratic vice presidential nominee, "knowingly and willfully" violated a 1971 campaign finance law by orchestrating a scheme in which two wealthy donors provided almost $1 million to hide his pregnant mistress, Rielle Hunter, while he sought the Democratic nomination for president in 2008.

---

Jurors got the case late Thursday afternoon and were expected to continue deliberations at least into Monday in U.S. District Court in Greensboro, N.C., legal experts said.

?

A quick verdict "would be surprising considering the complexity of the case," said Hampton Dellinger, a legal analyst for NBC News and msnbc.com.

Shortly after they retired to the jury room, the jurors indicated that they intended to take their time reviewing the four weeks of evidence. They asked U.S. District Judge Catherine Eagles for a list of all exhibits published by the defense and the prosecution ? which runs to hundreds of items ? and eight specific exhibits. After lunch, they also asked what time they should return to court Monday morning.

The also requested "other notes from Bunny Mellon" ? a reference to evidence related to nearly $750,000 contributed by billionaire Edwards supporter Rachel "Bunny" Mellon.

Mellon, who is 101 years old, didn't testify during the trial, but her attorney and financial adviser, Alex Forger, offered extensive testimony that Mellon knew that her donations were intended to fund the "Hunter problem" and weren't given as campaign contributions.

Former Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards has faced public and private challenges throughout his life and career.

The jurors also requested a transcript of Forger's testimony, but Eagles refused to provide it. She said that if they still need it by the middle of next week, she would reconsider that ruling.

Hundreds of journalists from across the nation filled the square outside the courthouse, where microphones were set up in anticipation that Edwards and lawyers for both sides could speak when and if a verdict is delivered.

Edwards faces as long as 30 years in federal prison and fines up to $1.5 million if he is convicted on all counts.

More content from msnbc.com and NBC News:

Follow US News on msnbc.com on Twitter and Facebook

zurich classic selena lamichael james lamichael james derrick rose acl earthquake los angeles