Looks like the Georgia case just got even more interesting.
State law, if requested by a defendant, sets a firm time limit in which to have a fair trial,” said attorney Scott Grubman, who is defending Chesebro with attorney Manny Arora. “Mr. Chesebro has given his official notice that he intends to avail himself of that right.
Under Georgia’s speedy trial rules, Chesebro would have to be tried by the end of two terms of court after his arraignment… that means Chesebro’s case will likely have to be tried by the end of the year
And the most interesting bit!
Under Georgia law, the speedy trial demand filed by Chesebro applies to all 19 defendants, Danny Porter, the former Gwinnett County district attorney, said. “It’s a pretty interesting development in terms of dragging all of them along,” Porter said. “It’s put all the other co-defendants in a box. I think the defense lawyers as a whole are pulling their hair out. …
As an aside, one of the co-defendants in the documents case in Florida also invoked his right to a speedy trial.
About that request for a speedy trial:
Why is the defendant asking for it?
It seems to me that their best hope is exactly the opposite; delay long enough for Trimp to be re-elected and then pardon them.
What am I not understanding?
Also, a related question:
What is the legal rationale for a state law that regulates a request for a speedy trial? It is clearly stated in the Constitution that all trials are to be speedy.
Are trials like the animals? (“All trials are speedy, but some are more speedy than others”)
The defendants in this trial are accused of violating Georgia state laws, not federal laws. The President can only pardon people convicted of federal crimes. Thus, a President Trump would have no ability to pardon anyone convicted in this case.
And, as I think was posted upthread a while back, getting pardoned in Georgia isn’t an easy thing, at all.
In the event he and others are convicted and then he’s elected President, I fully expect him to attempt the pardon(s) despite lacking the legal authority to do so. Normally this would be laughed out of court but the GOP’s efforts to corrupt the judiciary allow some speculation as to the amount of traction it’d get. Further discussion on this is outside the scope of the thread, I think.
On the more immediate point, I think the request for a speedy trial might be interpreted as a signal that the individual wants to separate himself from the others and is willing to listen to a proposal for a plea deal, without actually saying such directly.
His lawyers will say that the state law convicted under overlaps federal laws. Maybe the Republican Supreme Court justices will convert to believe in a living constitution.
A precedent where a state court locks up a president, or even ex-president, will be of questionable benefit. Red state courts will, going forward, find some crime that a Democratic president committed and try to get back at the Trump humiliation by locking up that individual. Maybe it will even be a Georgia court that tries to lock up the next Democratic president. I doubt the Democrat will be as serious a criminal as Trump, but few of us look perfect when under a microscope.
I’m not saying it will be a disaster. An elevated VP, Republican or Democrat, will probably act similarly to the elected president.
I just hope Kari Lake isn’t the VP should some here get their wish of having Trump thrown in a Georgia prison where they disallow cell phones.
The IT manager at Mar-a-Lago, Yuscil Taveras, has been told he will no longer face charges of perjury. I assume that’s pretty standard after flipping.
And Trump has hired a new lawyer for his Georgia troubles. I think he’s looking for that magic person who will be able to make it all go away. He likes the flashy TV lawyers, and they’re not always the most effective (unless you mean effective at looking like fools).
There are a of couple schools of thought I’ve come across that could be possible explanations.
Actually thinks he will be found not guilty and wants it to be over with and in the rear view mirror as soon as possible.
Wants to possibly force the DA to fail to meet the Georgia speedy trial rules which would result in charges against him being dropped.
Wants his trial severed from the rest of the group, hoping that without all of the RICO backup of conspiracy charges, only being charged with his own actions, he’ll be found not guilty.
Looking for a plea deal to stop him from blowing up the whole case with his speedy trial motion.
Just basically daring the DA to say she needs more time, which could then be used against her by the other defendants when they’re arguing for delays.
Who knows? Rabid face eating leopards are unpredictable.
Betting that the DA or Judge in Georgia are idiots messing around is a mistake.
One I am glad to see Trump making.
As an aside, Trump is responsible for the repugnant feelings his name conjures. I won’t cheapen his achievement with a funny moniker. The damage to CIVILization Trump has caused is the appropriately
expected disregard for decency. It is all together fitting and just that he drowns now in his own Twitter hate nonsense soup.
In his motion to dismiss Meadows argued he was engaged in protected political activity, while in his motion for removal to federal court he argued he was acting under official authority. Willis made the obvious counterargument that if it was political activity then it’s a Hatch Act violation and so falls outside the scope of his official duties.
Do any of the co-conspirators have a decent attorney?
