October Trial Excludes Trump’s Georgia Election Case, Plus 16 More

On Sep 14, 2023

TL/DR –

The judge in the Georgia election interference case has ordered that 17 defendants, including former President Donald Trump, will not be tried alongside defendants Kenneth Chesebro and Sidney Powell, who filed speedy trial requests. Judge Scott McAfee stated that the separation was due to procedural and logistical reasons, including issues of due process and the complexity of the case. Trump and the other defendants have pleaded not guilty to alleged efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election in Georgia.

The Judge in Georgia Election Interference Case Orders Separate Trial for Trump and Others

The judge supervising the Georgia election interference case has directed that 17 defendants, including Donald Trump, will not be concurrently tried with Kenneth Chesebro and Sidney Powell on Oct. 23.

Judge Scott McAfee stated this severance was a logistical necessity, not ruling out future divisions if necessary.

Any defendant not waiving their right to a speedy trial before Oct. 23 will join the trial. Trump waived his speedy trial rights already.

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis was advocating for a unified trial for all 19 defendants, arguing multiple trials would stress the court.

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The judge also expressed logistical concerns about a 19-person trial, stating the courthouse lacked a sufficiently large courtroom.

Trump and 18 others pleaded not guilty to charges in a racketeering indictment for allegedly attempting to overturn Georgia’s 2020 presidential election results.

The former president maintains his innocence, claiming the investigation is politically motivated.

Chesebro is accused of devising a strategy to use “alternate electors” to prevent Joe Biden from receiving 270 electoral votes, but his attorneys argue his actions were just duty fulfillment.

Powell is accused of conspiring to commit election fraud, allegedly aiding in ballot tampering.

Chesebro requested the DA disclose the identities of 30 unindicted co-conspirators, with prosecutors agreeing to do so under a protective order.

The judge also indicated a willingness to provide defense access to grand jury witness transcripts, subject to his final decision.