GREENSBORO -- A federal court judge rejected efforts by John Edwards, the former presidential candidate facing criminal charges, to have his case thrown out before trial.

But Judge Catherine Eagles noted that some of the defense team's arguments had merit that would be better decided at trial.

Edwards spoke briefly with the media outside the federal courthouse in Greensboro. A trial has been set for January.

"What's important now is that I now get my day in court, after all these years I finally get my day in court," Edwards said. "What I know with complete and absolute certainty is I did not violate any campaign laws."

In her rulings from the bench, Eagles said at this point in the legal proceedings she had to accept the prosecutors' allegations within "the four corners of the indictment."

But in rejecting the defense's efforts for dismissal point by point, she raised uncertainty about whether the incidents alleged occurred in the district where the charges were brought. She also questioned, as the defense did, how Edwards could aid and abet himself, as charged.

"I'm required to accept allegations as true," Eagles said. "These things are more appropriately evaluated at trial."

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