Former Gov. Bob McDonnell’s lawyers acknowledge that he was angry after his wife’s February 2013 interview with law enforcement officials.

But they say he was irked not because of her statements, but because authorities interviewed first lady Maureen McDonnell under false pretenses.

“The evidence will show that Mr. McDonnell was angry because he and his staff had been deceived about the purpose of the interview,” Jonathan A. Berry, a lawyer for Bob McDonnell, writes in a document filed Monday in U.S. District Court.
Prosecutors want to introduce Maureen McDonnell’s statements to show that Bob McDonnell later “became angry when he learned the subject areas discussed” and to explain his subsequent conduct.

Traced Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> “The evidence will show that Mr. McDonnell was
> angry because he and his staff had been deceived
> about the purpose of the interview,” Jonathan A.
> Berry, a lawyer for Bob McDonnell, writes in a
> document filed Monday in U.S. District Court.
> Prosecutors want to introduce Maureen
> McDonnell’s statements to show that Bob
> McDonnell later “became angry when he learned
> the subject areas discussed” and to explain his
> subsequent conduct.

Translation: Prosecutors are trying to get around the Fifth Amendment and spousal privileges by using Maureen McDonnell's out of court statements against her husband. They know they can't do this directly due to the hearsay and confrontation clauses, so they are trying to do it indirectly.