Judge Delays Trial For Trump, Others In Georgia 2020 Election Prosecution.

By Caroline Ameh

The judge presiding over the extensive 2020 election-related racketeering case involving former President Donald Trump and 18 co-defendants has made a significant decision. The judge, Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee, has ruled that Donald Trump will not go to trial next month alongside attorneys Sidney Powell and Kenneth Chesebro, who had pushed for an expedited schedule.

Judge McAfee’s decision to split the complex case into multiple trials was based on what he deemed an “absolute necessity.” He expressed concerns about the logistical challenges and burdens it would place on the state’s court system if all 19 defendants were tried together. The Fulton County courthouse simply lacked a courtroom large enough to accommodate such a trial, and relocating to a larger venue raised security issues that couldn’t be easily resolved.

Moreover, the judge underscored the uncertainties surrounding the case, particularly the fact that five of the co-defendants were seeking to transfer their charges to federal court. This could lead to further delays and complicate matters, potentially risking legal uncertainties, including the issue of double jeopardy.

As for a trial date for Donald Trump, it appears that it won’t occur anytime soon. Judge McAfee has set a deadline of December 1 for most of the defendants (excluding Chesebro and Powell, who are on an expedited timeline) to file any pretrial motions. Additionally, Trump faces two federal criminal trials scheduled for the following year, further extending the legal proceedings.

Judge McAfee has even raised the possibility of needing more than two trials to handle all the defendants and suggested involving another state judge if necessary timelines overlap. Defendants opting for a speedy trial this month will be joined with Chesebro and Powell, while those choosing an expedited timeline next month or later will be accommodated by other judges in Fulton County.

This ongoing legal saga is likely to continue well into 2024 or possibly beyond.