John Edwards Reportedly Flirting With Alternate Juror

An alternate juror in the John Edwards trial is reportedly flirting with the ex-U.S. Senator, according to multiple media sources.

The Gaston Gazette reports that one of the four alternate jurors, who was dubbed the “Lady in Red” has been giggling at Edwards in the courtroom, which he responds to by blushing each time.

ABC News writes that:

“Since the alternates were identified last Thursday, it has been impossible to ignore the dynamic between Edwards and one of the female alternates, an attractive young woman with jet-black hair, who seems to have been flirting with Edwards for days.”

ABC News goes on to report that:

“The juror clearly instigated the exchanges. She smiles at him. He smiles at her. She giggles. He blushes. The flirtation has become so obvious that even Edwards’ attorneys have to work to suppress their laughter at the absurdity of it all.”

The Washington Post’s blogger Alexandra Petri wrote of the juror’s (and Edwards’) reported flirting that:

“How bad is this poor juror’s dating life? She’s had to sit through all the exhibits! She knows exactly what the deal is. She cannot plead ignorance. ‘I didn’t realize he was John Edwards. I had no idea that he’d done all those things!’ will not fly this time.”

Petri does not have a high opinion of Edwards in the first place, who is accused of cheating on his wife, and using campaign money to cover the affair up. Petri asserts that:

“John Edwards is the sort of person that if you found him on the bottom of your shoe, you would hold your nose and scrape him off. He has systematically ticked off every one of the Unforgivable Public Figure Offenses: He cheated on his dying wife. He tried to pass off his child as the work of a staffer — and used, it is suggested, campaign money to do so.”

The Huffington Post reports that the jurors will begin day 6 of deliberations on Tuesday, after U.S. District Judge Catherine C. Eagles briefly closed the courtroom on Friday to discuss with attorneys an issue with a juror. She did not elaborate on the problem after meeting with the two sides for about 35 minutes. When she reopened the courtroom, however, she spoke with the jury before dismissing them for a three-day weekend, stating:

“All of your deliberations should take place while you are in the jury room and together. Don’t discuss the case in small groups.”