RICHMOND, Va. (AP) – When former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell and his wife, Maureen, were indicted on corruption charges in January, the couple stood together at a hastily called news conference to denounce the charges.
Three days later, they held hands as they made their way through the federal courthouse to enter not-guilty pleas. The couple continued to show a united front for more than six months during several pretrial motions.
But since the start of the trial this week, the couple has been hands off – entering and leaving the courthouse apart and showing no outward signs of affection.
On Tuesday, defense attorneys helped explain that separation as they presented to jurors the sordid details of the couple’s troubled marriage as part of a legal strategy some experts say may be a key part of the McDonnells’ defense.
The McDonnells are charged in a 14-count indictment with accepting more than $165,000 in loans, designer clothes, vacations and a Rolex watch from Jonnie Williams, the CEO of dietary supplements maker Star Scientific, in exchange for helping to promote Williams’ business. If convicted, they could face decades in prison.