John Edwards jury reaches verdict

The jury in the trial of former US presidential candidate John Edwards has reached a verdict, says a court clerk.

The panel in Greensboro, North Carolina, is due to return its decision after nine days of deliberations.

The former North Carolina senator denies using supporters' donations to hide his mistress' pregnancy during his 2008 run for the Democratic nomination.

The 58-year-old faces up to 30 years in prison and $1.5m (£945,000) in fines if convicted of all six felony charges.

To prove Mr Edwards guilty, prosecutors must show that he knew about the money used in the cover-up, and also that he knew he was violating the law.

Two years ago, the former senator admitted he had fathered a child with then-mistress Rielle Hunter in 2007.

An Edwards aide, Andrew Young, claimed paternity of the child.

At the time, Mr Edwards' wife, Elizabeth, was fighting breast cancer. She died in December 2010, having separated from her husband after he acknowledged paternity of Ms Hunter's child.

Mr Edwards has denied knowledge of the money, which paid for private jets, hotels and medical care for Ms Hunter, a videographer.