Ex Edwards aide avoids jail again in sex tape flap

3/12/2010 03:22:01 PM

PITTSBORO, N.C. – A former aide to past presidential candidate John Edwards has avoided jail again in a dispute over a tape that allegedly shows Edwards and his lover in a sexual encounter.

Superior Court Judge Abraham Penn Jones ruled Friday that Andrew Young was not in contempt of court for his accounting of how he handled items that Edwards mistress Rielle Hunter is seeking.

The North Carolina judge had threatened to jail Young earlier this week and said he was troubled by a series of conflicting statements that Young has made under oath. Young was back in court Friday to offer more details to the judge.

Hunter has sued Young for invasion of privacy, seeking the return of items including the tape.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

PITTSBORO, N.C. — A former aide to John Edwards is returning to court just days after a North Carolina judge nearly sent him to jail over his handling of a videotape purportedly showing the two-time presidential candidate in a sexual encounter.

Superior Court Judge Abraham Penn Jones scheduled a hearing for Friday. He asked Andrew Young earlier this week to provide a full accounting of how he handled items Edwards' mistress, Rielle Hunter, is seeking.

Judge Jones declared on two occasions during a Tuesday hearing that Young would go to jail for contempt following conflicting statements. But Jones relented after Young's attorneys protested.

Hunter has sued Young for invasion of privacy, seeking the return of items including a tape purportedly showing Edwards and Hunter in a sexual encounter.