Former President Donald Trump has requested the Fulton County Superior Court to separate his Georgia criminal election interference case from the 18 co-defendants demanding an expedited trial. This move came shortly after Trump pleaded not guilty to 13 charges related to alleged attempts to overturn his loss to President Joe Biden in the state’s 2020 election. Trump also decided against appearing at next week’s arraignment.
Defense attorney Steven Sadow argued that Trump would not have sufficient time to prepare for the trial if it commences on October 23, as scheduled for co-defendant Kenneth Chesebro. Thus far, Chesebro and pro-Trump attorney Sidney Powell have sought quick trials, but only Chesebro’s date has been confirmed.
Sadow mentioned that holding Trump to the same schedule could infringe on his constitutional rights to a fair trial and due process, given the complexity of the case. He also noted a potential scheduling clash, as he’s due to participate in another trial in Florida in late September.
Fani Willis, the prosecuting Atlanta district attorney, proposed that defendants granted speedy trials should be tried jointly. Trump faces 91 counts across four separate criminal cases amidst his 2024 Republican presidential campaign efforts. Attempts by his legal team to delay his federal trials until post-November 2024 were denied by the presiding judges.
