John Edwards Trial: Cheri Young 'Wanted Proof' She 'Really Was Taking Care Of Rielle Hunter'

Cheri Young, wife of John Edwards' aide Andrew Young, said she "wanted proof" she "really was taking care of Rielle Hunter."

Cheri Young, wife of John Edwards' former aide Andrew Young, defended a video she shot in the home of Edwards' mistress Rielle Hunter, saying she wanted "proof" that she "really was taking care of Rielle Hunter."

"I wanted proof that I really was taking care of Rielle Hunter," Young testified on Tuesday.

Young secretly videotaped the inside of Hunter's home and several of her personal items in September 2008. Among the items filmed was a list of potential baby names.

Hunter was in California at the time and gave no consent for the taping, which Young said she did in order to have proof she was contributing to Hunter's living, medical and travel expenses. The Youngs helped Edwards cover up his mistress while the former senator campaigned for the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination. Reuters reports:

Young has testified that Edwards asked him to falsely claim paternity of the woman's child as part of an elaborate cover-up to protect his married boss' image and to keep Edwards' cancer-stricken wife Elizabeth from finding out about the affair.

The defense has portrayed Andrew Young as the mastermind behind the secret payments from two wealthy donors, arguing he used much of the money for his own benefit and as a result is not a trustworthy witness.

The defense began its cross-examination of Cheri Young on Tuesday by focusing on how she had little or no direct contact with the supporters who provided the payments, Fred Baron and Rachel "Bunny" Mellon.

Young said she often was present when her husband was having relevant phone discussions about the money but could recall only a handful of times she actually heard both sides of the conversations.

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Comments

[Tiredashell]

11:39 PM on 05/07/2012

Wow, the damage done to careers and the huge amount of cash wasted on this affair is staggering. Imagine this man in the White House with his staff dedicated full time to hiding Hunter. An administration effectively working only part-time on the most difficult fiscal crisis of a generation. We are very fortunate he crashed and burned.

[Nikole Reedd]

08:15 PM on 05/03/2012

I hope Edward's affair with Ms. Hunter was worth it because he is paying a heavy price now and will continue to pay for a very long time. I don't understand why these "political figures" keep taking the risk of getting caught, they should just call phone sex instead, at least that's confidential. http://www.easygirls.com

[mespeland]

09:39 AM on 05/03/2012

What a coward he is.

[Dorian Mode]

05:41 AM on 05/03/2012

Real Liberals use condoms.

[mjdloc157]

09:40 PM on 05/02/2012

OWS members will occupy the court house where Edwards is being tryed, A spokesman said the "movement has shifted to save this Liberal American Icon from GOP persacution"

[tj101]

01:42 AM on 05/03/2012

You'reAnIdiot

[MGLLC]

08:54 PM on 05/02/2012

I would prefer they go after some real criminals, like bush cheeeneeey, rummy, etc.....instead, Edwards is made the whipping boy. What a charade. The donors knew the money was being used for the girlfriend, if they didn't mind, why should anyone else. In an era of Citizens United and deep corruption, this is a scam.
I hope he gets off.

[mjdloc157]

09:42 PM on 05/02/2012

Yes Poor Johnny, You libs are so shaken about this downfall of your iconic figure

[tj101]

01:45 AM on 05/03/2012

You are the only one calling him an icon.

Weird, huh

[jmbsjy]

08:29 PM on 05/03/2012

He's not THIS "lib's" iconic figure! Please don't speak for us.

[ewalter899]

09:48 PM on 05/02/2012

Just think if this guy became President, and this scandal broke. What a mess that would be. And this clown thought he could fool everyone.

[nfsbrrpkk]

07:26 PM on 05/02/2012

Men with money and power, beware of women like RH. Just say NO.

[moonlit]

10:11 PM on 05/02/2012

Really can't believe Edwards was that d.umb.

[MelanieMorgasm]

06:36 PM on 05/02/2012

i cant believe a woman as ugly as rielle hunter would be worth all this trouble. you could understand it if it was say, bar rafaeli, but this? jesus christ

[MGLLC]

08:55 PM on 05/02/2012

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

[mjdloc157]

09:43 PM on 05/02/2012

Look at Clinton and the hags he had, or Al the Groper Gore, its 'Who you libs are"

[moonlit]

10:10 PM on 05/02/2012

Have you looked at Newt's wives and mistresses? You shouldn't go there.

[tj101]

01:43 AM on 05/03/2012

John Ensign, Mark Sanford, Newt Gingrich.

I've got more....

[subversive86]

06:25 PM on 05/02/2012

Edwards was severly out of his freaking mind. The cover-up is ALWAYS worse than the offense.

[mjdloc157]

09:44 PM on 05/02/2012

He was confident that you libs would stand behind your iconic leader

[moonlit]

10:11 PM on 05/02/2012

Are you surprised we didn't?

[subversive86]

10:34 PM on 05/02/2012

Do you really want to go there Senator Vitter, Senator Craig, Governor Sanford? I could go on, but I can also name Clinton, Spitzer, Every Kennedy. Being a lib, gives me humility and with it, the ability to improve, which is why you repugs will always be angry and hostile to anyone actually living in a manner that you so desire to live. You will always be less than the human potential. You are simply an immobile impediment to free thought and humanity's advancement. You are dark matter.

[kevin mason2412]

02:34 PM on 05/03/2012

Yeah he really jacked that situation up really bad! He should have had the common sense not to knock her up! Had that not happened they would be together right now I'm sure of it!