Georgia judge says Trump election trial will be televised.
Former President Donald Trump’s Trial in Georgia to be Televised
According to a state judge, former President Donald Trump’s trial in Georgia will be televised. Superior Court of Fulton County Judge Scott McAfee, who is overseeing the case, has ordered that the trial be televised and live-streamed by local outlets, including WSB-TV.
Judge McAfee, appointed by Georgia Republican Gov. Brian Kemp, stated that he was following the example set by Fulton County Judge Robert McBurney.
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During a hearing on the matter, Judge McAfee said, “In line with the spirit of transparency here, we have followed Judge McBurney’s model, and we have been live-streaming all of our major proceedings on a Fulton County-provided YouTube channel. And our plan was to do that with this case as well. So there’s going to be a YouTube feed the entire time,” as reported by the New York Post.
The date for the trial has not yet been set.
Under Georgia law, court proceedings can be broadcasted upon written request and approval, as long as the broadcasters do not disrupt the proceedings.
It’s important to note that the televised trial only applies to the Georgia case. President Trump is also facing federal charges in Washington and state charges in New York.
While photographers were allowed into President Trump’s arraignment in New York earlier this year, no portions of the proceedings were televised.
Judge McAfee had previously ruled that President Trump’s arraignment could be televised, but it did not take place as President Trump entered a not guilty plea earlier.
Judge McAfee, who was randomly assigned the case, has not recused himself despite having previously worked under Democrat Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis.
The indictment against President Trump includes 13 felony counts, alleging that he and his allies, including former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, committed crimes by pressuring authorities to investigate possible election fraud in the 2020 presidential election.
President Trump and his co-defendants maintain their innocence and argue that the probe led by Ms. Willis was politically motivated.
Seeks to Sever Case
President Trump’s attorney, Steve Sadow, has requested that Judge McAfee separate his case from those of defendants who have asked for an expedited trial. The judge has already set an Oct. 23 trial date for one of those defendants.
Sadow argues that giving the former president less than two months to prepare a defense against a 98-page indictment would violate his constitutional rights to a fair trial and due process of law.
Ms. Willis, the Fulton County District Attorney, wants all defendants to be tried together. After one defendant demanded a speedy trial, she asked the judge to set an Oct. 23 trial date for everyone.
Others Waive Arraignment
Jenna Ellis, an attorney involved in efforts to persuade state lawmakers to unlawfully appoint presidential electors, also pleaded not guilty and waived arraignment. Three other defendants charged in the indictment had already waived arraignment in previous filings.
President Trump surrendered at the Fulton County Jail on Aug. 24, becoming the first former president to have a mug shot taken.
At least two defendants have filed a demand for a speedy trial.
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