CBS: Sister of Edwards Mistress: ‘I Don't Know What They Were Thinking’

August 13th, 2008 4:38 PM

Following a segment on John Edwards possibly paying hush money to mistress Rielle Hunter, a later segment on Wednesday’s CBS Early Show previewed an interview with Hunter’s sister by Entertainment Tonight’s Thea Andrews: "I sat down with Rielle Hunter's sister, Roxanne Druck Marshall. Roxanne is older by 18 months and she says the two sisters were very close, practically raised as twins. But now Roxanne is hurt and embarrassed by her sister's behavior." Andrews went on to ask Marshall: "Having an affair with someone whose wife has cancer-" Marshall interjected: "-and knowing it, and know -- I mean. And not just knowing it, the whole world knows it. There's no way. I don't know what they were thinking."

Andrews followed up by asking: "Do you think your sister thought about his wife Elizabeth?" Marshall replied: "Apparently not. She obviously didn't think or care enough to stop the relationship." Marshall later commented on the speculation of Edwards making payments to Hunter: "He's, you know, saying, 'oh, I'll take a paternity test.' And then the next day Rielle issues a statement, 'I'm never going to take a paternity test.' Well, isn't that a coincidence? That's very ironic, great coincidence. I just want John Edwards to come clean, tell the truth, and let's get it over with."

Andrews concluded the interview preview by explained to co-host Harry Smith: "Roxanne told me she believes John Edwards has her sister hidden away somewhere so the press won't be able to find her. Some explosive allegations, Harry." Smith then asked: "John Edwards has said the affair was brief. Does Rielle's sister confirm that? Or-" Andrews responded:

Roxanne says that John Edwards has been untruthful in many of his statements to the media about the affair. She says that contrary to what John Edwards says, the affair with her sister started long before she started working on the campaign and that it never really ended. That they are still in contact today. That they've spoken recently, and that her sister is still very much in love with John Edwards.

The two-part interview on Entertainment Tonight will air Wednesday and Thursday night.

Here is the full transcript of the segment:

7:00AM TEASER:

MAGGIE RODRIGUEZ: The baby trail and John Edwards. First his mistress's friend and now Rielle Hunter's sister in an exclusive interview.

ROXANNE DRUCK MARSHALL: I just want John Edwards to come clean, tell the truth, and let's get it over with.

7:30AM TEASER:

MAGGIE RODRIGUEZ: John Edwards' affair has damaged more than his own family, as we're hearing in an exclusive interview with the other woman's sister. 'Entertainment Tonight's' Thea Andrews is here and she'll join us in a moment to talk about that.

7:30AM SEGMENT:

HARRY SMITH: More now on John Edwards' affair with this woman Hunter. It's affected not only his family, but Hunter's family as well. 'Entertainment Tonight's' Thea Andrews is here with an exclusive interview. Good morning.

THEA ANDREWS: Good morning, Harry. I sat down with Rielle Hunter's sister, Roxanne Druck Marshall. Roxanne is older by 18 months and she says the two sisters were very close, practically raised as twins. But now Roxanne is hurt and embarrassed by her sister's behavior. If you could speak to Elizabeth Edwards today, what would you say to her?

ROXANNE DRUCK MARSHALL: I would just tell her I'm sorry. I'm so sorry for what my sister did. And what her husband did too. I mean, they both did it together. You don't make a baby with one person. And -- it's horrible. I mean, just what she must be thinking and feeling, I just -- my heart goes out to her.

ANDREWS: She's Rielle Hunter's sister, Roxanne Druck Marshall. I traveled to North Carolina for this exclusive E.T. interview to learn more about the woman at the center of the John Edwards scandal. Having an affair with someone whose wife has cancer-

MARSHALL: -and knowing it, and know -- I mean. And not just knowing it, the whole world knows it. There's no way. I don't know what they were thinking.

ANDREWS: Do you think your sister thought about his wife Elizabeth?

MARSHALL: Apparently not. She obviously didn't think or care enough to stop the relationship.

ANDREWS: Do you think she was in love with John?

MARSHALL: I would think that was the only reason that she would be with him is that she loves him, yes.

ANDREWS: There are many who doubt whether Edwards was being truthful in a recent TV interview, and Roxanne is one of them.

MARSHALL: He's, you know, saying, 'oh, I'll take a paternity test.' And then the next day Rielle issues a statement, 'I'm never going to take a paternity test.' Well, isn't that a coincidence? That's very ironic, great coincidence. I just want John Edwards to come clean, tell the truth, and let's get it over with.

ANDREWS: Roxanne shared these personal family photos of a young Rielle, who was born Lisa Jo Druck.

MARSHALL: She always wanted to be an actress. She always wanted to be on TV. Well now she's on TV, in not a good way.

ANDREWS: And in a way that has left this member of her family embarrassed.

MARSHALL: My heart goes out to Mrs. Edwards, and I just hope that she'll realize that Rielle's family is very upset.

ANDREWS: Roxanne told me she believes John Edwards has her sister hidden away somewhere so the press won't be able to find her. Some explosive allegations, Harry.

SMITH: John Edwards has said the affair was brief. Does Rielle's sister confirm that or?

ANDREWS: Roxanne says that John Edwards has been untruthful in many of his statements to the media about the affair. She says that contrary to what John Edwards says, the affair with her sister started long before she started working on the campaign and that it never really ended. That they are still in contact today. That they've spoken recently, and that her sister is still very much in love with John Edwards.

SMITH: Alright, Thea Andrews, thank you so much. Thea's interview with Rielle Hunter's sister airs in two parts, beginning tonight on 'Entertainment Tonight.'