Greensboro, N.C. -- John Edwards appeared in a Greensboro Federal Courthouse Thursday to observe the first stage of his trial: jury selection.
About 200 people are in the pool of potential jurors. Eventually, the attorneys will whittle that pool down to sixteen: twelve jurors and four alternates. The trial will likely last about six weeks.
In court, the judge read a list of rules and regulations to the potential jurors. She told all of them they are not allowed to discuss the case with anyone. In addition, she asked them to avoid any media coverage of the case or John Edwards.
Then, each potential juror filled out a written questionnaire prepared by the attorneys. Attorneys will review the responses and jury selection will continue again on Tuesday, April 17. The trial is set to begin on April 23.
Edwards faces six criminal charges connected to nearly $1 million in secret payments made by two campaign donors. Those payments helped hide Edwards' pregnant mistress as he ran for president.
Edwards has said he didn't know about the payments. They went to former campaign aide Andrew Young. Young initially claimed the baby was his. Young will likely be a key prosecution witness.
If convicted, Edwards faces up to 30 years in prison and up to $1.5 million in fines.
WFMY News 2