Fulton County, Georgia district attorney Fani Willis has scheduled former President Donald Trump’s trial to commence on Oct. 23.
The trial date scheduling follows a motion filed by attorney Kenneth Chesebro, who was also indicted by Willis along with 17 others, demanding a speedy trial.
“Any defendant against whom a true bill of indictment…is filed with the clerk for an offense not affecting the defendant’s life may enter a demand for speedy trial at the court term at which the indictment is filed or at the next succeeding regular court term thereafter,” reads Chesebro’s filing, citing legal code.
On Thursday, Willis responded to Chesebro’s demand for a speedy trial.
“The State of Georgia, through Fulton County District Attorney Fani T. Willis … respectfully requests that this Court specially set the trial in this case to commence for all 19 defendants on October 23, 2023.”
Just in: DA Willis responding to Ken Chesebro's speedy trial demand. Calling for the trial for all 19 Fulton defendants to begin on Oct. 23, 2023 pic.twitter.com/OkOSCpXxYG
— Tamar Hallerman (@TamarHallerman) August 24, 2023
Prior to DA Willis’ Thursday response, Trump’s trial was tentatively scheduled to take place in March 2024 prior to Super Tuesday.
Trump has been indicted over allegations of violating the Georgia Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO). Eighteen others, including Rudy Giuliani, have been charged along with the former President over the RICO Act and other alleged acts to conspire in regards to the 2020 presidential election.
Defendants have been given the opportunity to voluntarily surrender no later than noon on Aug. 25, said Willis. All 19 defendants will be tried together.
Every individual is charged with one count of violating the RICO Act in Fulton County and elsewhere “to accomplish the illegal goal of allowing Donald J Trump to seize the presidential term of office, beginning on January, 2021,” said Willis during a Monday night press conference following the indictment.
Yesterday, a series of defendants indicted by Willis surrendered themselves to Fulton County Jail, including former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani.
“Whether you dislike or you like Donald Trump … they’re gonna come for you,” Giuliani warned.
On Thursday, Georgia Republican Party Activist and former candidate for Georgia State House Brad Barnes filed paperwork with Fulton County Jail seeking the arrest of DA Willis.
Barnes alleges Willis has violated her Oath by Public Officer, along with Conspiracy Against Rights, Deprivation of Rights Under Color of Law, and engaged in unprofessional conduct as Public Officers and Employees of the state.
“It’s very clear that [Willis] is using her public office to prosecute a political grudge,” Barnes said, referencing the Fulton County district attorney’s move to charge Trump’s lawyers. “[It’s] a clear violation of the defendant’s, like Mr. Trump’s right to a redress of grievances under the First Amendment.”
Trump is scheduled to turn himself into Fulton County Jail today. A mugshot of the former President is expected to be released shortly after.
