FORMER U.S. SENATOR JOHN EDWARDS FOUND NOT GUILTY AND MISTRIALED............

Former North Carolina United States Senator, vice presidential nominee, and presidential candidate, John Edwards was acquitted on Thursday on the charge of accepting an illegal campaign contribution and the jury reached no verdict on five other counts, causing the judge to declare a mistrial.  The corruption charges had been brought by a former federal prosecutor, who is now a Republican candidate for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.  The charges grew out of an adulterous affair Edwards had with a campaign worker with whom he fathered a daughter during his 2008 campaign for the Democratic Presidential nomination.  Being found not guilty of the central charge and mistrialed on the others, the question now is whether prosecutors will attempt to prosecute him again on the five no verdict counts, as legally he cannot be tried again on the not guilty finding, given the double jeopardy provision of the law.  Speaking outside the courthouse with his oldest daughter and parents standing at his side, in addition to thanking the jury, who deliberated for more than nine days, Edwards accepted personal responsibility for the wrongs he had done bit asserted anew they were not crimes, instead sins.  Edwards also spoke about his five children, including his infant daughter, and indicated an interest in doing future work on behalf of children.  More than a few political pundits are criticizing Edwards statement yesterday, as being narcissistic.  It appears they think he should be quietly repentant, rather than vocally seeking redemptive in his response.  John Edwards present and future response to his acquittal seems to be a catch 22.  Whatever he says or does from this point forward will be judged negatively by a large percentage of North Carolinians and other Americans, after his political and personal fall from grace.   The outcome of this Edwards trial presents the quandary that occurs when cases like this intersect, or are primarily driven by politics.  Prosecutors and political foes brought a weak, ineffectual, set of evidence to try to convict him with.  John Edwards actions tarnished himself, if not ended his political and governmental career, but are more personal defect and a serious lapse in ethics, and good judgment; rather than criminal acts.  Initial commentary and analysis is stating that a further attempt to re-try John Edwards on any of the charges is highly unlikely............Fr.  Troy