Edwards jury deliberation over for weekend

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GREENSBORO, N.C., May 18 (UPI) -- Jurors in former U.S. Sen. John Edwards' federal campaign corruption trial concluded deliberation for the weekend Friday afternoon in Greensboro, N.C.

Jurors will resume deliberation Monday morning, The (Raleigh, N.C.) News & Observer reported.

If convicted, Edwards could face up to 30 years in jail and a $1.5 million fine; however, ABC News reported it is unlikely Edwards would be hit with the maximum penalty.

Edwards is accused of illegally using more than $1 million in donations to cover up his affair with aide Rielle Hunter, and her pregnancy, during his campaign for the 2008 presidential nomination.

The Charlotte (N.C.) Observer reported Edwards' attorney, Abbe Lowell, asserted in her closing arguments Thursday a moral failing is not necessarily a criminal offense.

"John was a bad husband, but there is not the remotest chance that John did or intended to violate the law," Lowell told the court, adding that for his infidelity and dishonesty "he's going to serve a life sentence for them."

Lowell instead implicated another Edwards aide, Andrew Young, alleging Young solicited the money from donors and used the scandal to his advantage. Lowell said Young and his wife Cheri "shame Bonnie and Clyde."