Video: Defense: Edwards paid mistress after campaign ended

>>> now we turn to a federal courtroom in greensboro, north carolina , where john edwards is facing the trial of his life on corruption charges. and in the process, of course, airing all of the family laundry and pain and suffering in a public way. including what his wife elizabeth went through as the end of her life neared. and tomorrow, kate edwards , who's been in the courtroom with him each day of this trial, may be on the witness stand . our report tonight from lisa myers .

>> reporter: 30-year-old kate edwards has been by her father's side every step of the way.

>> good morning. and the defense says she may take the stand tomorrow. she's expected to say that despite all the lies and betrayal her father still cared for her mother elizabeth. and that the alleged cover-up of the affair with rielle hunter and edwards child with hunter was to protect the family.

>> taking the stand, talking about her father, how much family mattered. i think it can be powerful evidence for john edwards .

>> his legal team chipped away at the government's case. jim walsh a former fbi agent hired by the defense to follow the money testified that donor fred baron gave rielle hunter payments of at least $9,000 a month in the last half of 2008 . well after edwards presidential campaign had ended. some of it even after he publicly admitted the affair.

>> it certainly helps the defense's case that the support for rielle hunter was based on a personal relationship, not just edwards ' political fortunes.

>> reporter: money provides to keep hunter out of sight was meant to influence the election, and constituted illegal contributions to edwards which edwards denies.

>> the defense still isn't saying whether john edwards will take the stand and risk a withering cross-examination. and edwards lawyer says it's still possible that the woman at the center of the scandal could be called to testify.

>> lisa myers , nbc news, greensboro, north carolina .

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