Trump Win: Appeals Court To Review Decision Allowing DA Fani Willis To Stay On Case

The Georgia Appellate Court agreed to hear the challenge on Wednesday against a ruling that allowed Fulton County district attorney Fani Willis, despite her romantic relationship with a subordinate, to continue to lead a 2020 case of election interference against former President Donald Trump.

The Court of Appeals of the State of Georgia issued a short order in which it stated that the request by the defense for a review of a March decision of a lower court had been granted. It also noted the appellant could file a notice of an appeal within 10 working days.

The issue at hand is Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee’s determination that defendants did not prove a potential conflict of interest due to the romance between Willis, her special prosecutor Nathan Wade in this case. The judge was concerned about “appearances of impropriety”, and allowed Willis to proceed only after Wade resigned. She could also resign.

Willis filed a motion stating that there was no basis to review the order of the lower court.

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The Washington Post reported on the fact that Trump and co-defendants will ask the appeals court to stay proceedings until the appeal is resolved, after McAfee stated he wouldn’t halt the process. CNN reported that a trial date had not been set yet, but Willis wanted to hold it before the 2020 election.

Trump and 18 of his co-defendants have pleaded not guilt to the plethora of charges that were brought against them in the Georgia case. However, four of these defendants have now entered into plea agreements. Trump, who is seeking a second term in the White House, has denied any wrongdoings across multiple cases. A New York “hush money case” related to an election has been tried, while a federal classified document case trial was delayed indefinitely by a judge. In a federal election case, the Supreme Court is examining an immunity issue.

Willis is also running for reelection and is currently facing investigations by the Georgia State Senate and U.S. House of Representatives. She skipped a recent debate, leaving Christian Wise Smith to compete against an empty podium. Her office refused the invitation due to concerns that Willis would be limited in her ability to speak about ongoing litigation. The primary will be held on May 21.