A Georgia judge on Friday ruled against Fulton County Democrat District Attorney Fani Willis, who essentially had requested that the court tell former President Donald Trump and his co-defendants that speedy trial demands come at a cost.
Willis, who has charged Trump and 18 co-defendants with allegedly trying to overturn Georgia's 2020 presidential election results, wanted Superior Court of Fulton County Judge Scott McAfee to impose evidentiary and scheduling restrictions on defendants as a result of some requesting a speedy trial.
McAfee said Friday that, for now, his standard scheduling by order will control proceedings.
"On August 30, 2023, the State filed a motion outlining various appellate decisions that explore how a statutory demand for a speedy trial affects the standard discovery deadlines and notice of trial," McAfee wrote in his ruling, Newsmax learned.
"Many of the deadlines highlighted within those cases, if imposed, would directly conflict with this Court's Standing Case Management Order and its routinely entered case specific scheduling order."
The judge's ruling came a day after he confirmed that all of the hearings and trial for Trump in Fulton County will be livestreamed on the court's YouTube channel.
McAfee previously set arraignment hearings for Trump and the 18 others charged in the case for Sept. 6. A court filing waiving arraignment means Trump won't have to show up.
Trump pleaded not guilty Thursday and sought to sever his case from other defendants who have asked for an expedited trial that is scheduled to start Oct. 23.
In a court filing, attorney Steve Sadow said that giving Trump less than two months to prepare a defense against a 98-page indictment would "violate President Trump's federal and state constitutional rights to a fair trial and due process of law."
The Federalist reported Friday that Willis has evidence that clears some Republicans targeted in the case.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
Charlie McCarthy ✉
Charlie McCarthy, a writer/editor at Newsmax, has nearly 40 years of experience covering news, sports, and politics.
© 2024 Newsmax. All rights reserved.