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The Georgia Court of Appeals is set to deliberate on an appeal challenging the legitimacy of Fulton County District Attorney, Fani T. Willis, to continue leading the prosecution against former US President Donald Trump in a case related to election interference. The court’s announcement of their decision may potentially delay the prosecution’s process, following defense arguments citing a conflict of interest given Willis’s previous romantic affiliation with a lawyer involved in the case.
The case against Trump and 14 allies could be postponed due to the time it may take the appellate court to rule on the matter. The delay could also affect one of the most historic state criminal cases in US history.
Lawyer Nathan J. Wade was hired by Willis for the Trump prosecution, but defense lawyers argued his previous relationship with Willis may hinder justice. Judge Scott McAfee ruled in March that Willis could maintain the case if Wade recused himself, which he did. However, critics such as Trump’s lead counsel in Georgia, Steven H. Sadow, maintain that the proceedings amount to a political persecution.
The ruling may be a setback to Democratic hopes of making Trump legally responsible before the next election for crimes linked to the interference with the election. Trump currently faces legal battles in other locations, including New York, Washington D.C., and Florida. Trump’s lawyers have cited presidential immunity as a defense in these cases, arguing it should protect him against potential prosecution.
In the meantime, Judge McAfee criticized Willis and Wade for their “potential untruthfulness” about their relationship but concluded that disqualifying Willis would be too severe. The appeal against McAfee’s decision is expected to be a slow process, potentially stretching throughout the summer. Despite the impending case, Willis, a Democrat now up for reelection, received endorsement from several Black church leaders.
On another note, a Republican-majority state Senate committee has begun an investigation into Willis. In response, Willis has expressed doubt about the committee’s right to subpoena her and considered the investigation a political retribution for her case against Trump. The appeal will be heard by the three-judge panel of the Georgia Court of Appeals.
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