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Georgia Election Interference Case Against Former President Trump Put on Hold
The Georgia Court of Appeals recently halted the criminal election interference case involving ex-President Donald J. Trump. The decision was made until it could be determined whether the Fulton County District Attorney should be recused due to a conflict of interest.
Decision Affects Trump’s Case and Others
In their brief announcement, the court confirmed the suspension of actions at a trial-court level concerning Mr. Trump and eight co-defendants, who have all contested the presiding prosecutor, Fani T. Willis’s allowance to stay on the case until the appeals are resolved.
Oral arguments for these appeals are tentatively scheduled for October 4, though the resolution may take several months according to legal experts.
Additional Setback for Trump’s Opponents
For those opposed to Mr. Trump, this is another setback. They had hoped for a trial in Georgia before the general election in which he is to face off against President Joseph R. Biden. Mr. Trump and several allies face indictments in Georgia for alleged attempts to reverse his 2020 election defeat in this state.
Potential Conflict of Interest Causes Complications
The case encountered complications earlier in the year when it was revealed that Ms. Willis had been in a romantic relationship with a lawyer appointed to manage the case. The defense argued that Ms. Willis and her staff should be disqualified. However, Judge Scott McAfee of Fulton County Superior Court permitted her to continue.
Stalling of Case Affects Several Parties
Apart from Mr. Trump, other entities contesting the ruling include Rudolph W. Giuliani, Mr. Trump’s ex-personal lawyer; Mark Meadows, Mr. Trump’s former White House chief of staff during the 2020 elections; and others.
Court Deadlines and Delays
Anthony Michael Kreis, a law professor at Georgia State University, noted that the Georgia Constitution necessitates the appeals court to deliver a verdict by March 14. If failed to do so, the trial court ruling would stand.
The State of Play
Even with the appeals court ready to hear the disqualification plea, Judge McAfee proceeded with other elements of the case. However, with the recent stay, most of this work will have to be put on hold, including a critical motion filed by Mr. Trump arguing for presidential immunity from prosecution in Georgia.
Critiques of District Attorney’s Handling of Case
The announcement of the stay has reignited criticism against District Attorney Ms. Willis, accusing her of mishandling an important and historically significant state criminal prosecution.
“She has just stabbed the case right in the heart,” said Clark D. Cunningham, a legal ethics expert and law professor at Georgia State University.
The district attorney’s office declined to comment about the issue.
Others Involving in the Appeal
Other appellants include Michael A. Roman, a previous Trump campaign official; David J. Shafer, the former Georgia Republican Party head; Robert Cheeley, a previous Trump campaign lawyer; Cathy Latham, a Trump elector from Georgia in 2020; Jeffrey Clark, a one-time Department of Justice lawyer; and Harrison Floyd, the former head of the group, Black Voices for Trump.
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