GREENSBORO, NC — She’s John Edwards’ secret weapon.
Brilliant Catharine “Cate” Edwards — the oldest of the former presidential candidate’s three children — is apparently using her Harvard Law degree to help save her father from a 30-year prison sentence.
Cate sat directly behind her dad in the federal courtroom gallery yesterday and repeatedly whispered legal advice in his ear during jury selection and opening arguments.
Edwards and his attorneys conferred with her at least six times in the 45 minutes it took to whittle down 45 jurors to the final 16 — essentially making her the fourth member of his legal team.
The 30-year-old became the public face of her family after Edwards’ affair with Rielle Hunter was exposed while her mother, Elizabeth, battled cancer.
The dignified Cate — who is also on Edwards’ witness list — wore a bright pink blouse and sat next to her paternal grandparents.
She was active in Edwards’ presidential campaign and temporarily gave up practicing law after her mother’s death in December 2010.
Now she runs the Elizabeth Edwards Foundation, which provides educational opportunities to underprivileged children.