In a bold move that has sent shockwaves through the political landscape, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis has formally petitioned for an October 23, 2023 trial commencement in the high-stakes election subversion case involving former President Donald Trump and 18 other defendants.
“The State of Georgia, through Fulton County District Attorney Fani T. Willis, and respectfully requests that this Court specially set the trial in this case to commence for all 19 defendants on October 23, 2023,” the motion stated.
??????Breaking: DA Willis counters Ken Chesebro's speedy trial request. All 19 Fulton defendants' trial set for Oct. 23, 2023, per her response. Legal proceedings intensify as the court date looms. Stay tuned for updates.
The decision to set the trial for all 19 Fulton… pic.twitter.com/NG4MholZS5
— Brian Allen (@allenanalysis) August 24, 2023
Citing a petition submitted on Wednesday by Trump’s co-defendant Kenneth Chesebro, urging a swift trial under Georgia’s Speedy Trial Act, Willis aligned her stance with her earlier commitment. Just last week, upon the indictment’s announcement, Willis had asserted her intention to pursue a trial set to commence within the span of six months.
HOLY SHIT, DA Fani Willis just requested that the trial for trump and ALL of his co-defendants begin on October 23, 2023 — 60 DAYS FROM NOW!
Are you ready for that, folks?
— BrooklynDad_Defiant!?? (@mmpadellan) August 24, 2023
However, the feasibility of such a timeframe is brought into question by another extensive anti-racketeering case handled by Willis. In separate instances, the lawsuit alleges that Jeffrey Williams, also known as the rapper Young Thug, alongside various associates, infringed upon Georgia’s RICO law, mirroring the pivotal accusation in the Trump case.
Despite Williams’ effort to expedite proceedings by invoking his right to a speedy trial, the legal process has progressed sluggishly. Initiated in January 2023, the process of jury selection for this case was set in motion over a year and a half after the charges were formally pressed. The jury selection phase is still underway, persevering for a span of more than six months.
