Donald Trump waives right to speedy trial as Georgia prosecutor seeks to try him with 18 others next month
economictimes.indiatimes.comDonald Trump and some other defendants are waiving their right to seek a speedy trial in the Georgia case in which they are accused of participating in an illegal scheme to overturn his loss in the 2020 presidential election.
The filings are part of the legal maneuvering as Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis seeks to try all 19 defendants together starting next month. Most of the defendants have sought to separate their cases from some or all of the others, with many saying they will not be ready by Oct.
23, when a trial has been set for two defendants who have already filed demands for a speedy trial. The judge has expressed skepticism that all defendants could go to trial that day.
Trump was the first to file the speedy trial waiver.
The early front-runner for the Republican presidential nomination, Trump has previously sought to slow proceedings in his other criminal cases while he seeks a return to the White House in the 2024 election. He is facing prosecution in a state case in New York, as well as federal cases in Washington and Florida.
Trump's waiver of his speedy trial right was filed Tuesday on the heels of a brief filed by Willis' office arguing that all the defendants should be tried together because of efficiency and fairness issues.
Prosecutors said holding several lengthy trials instead of one beginning on Oct. 23 would «create an enormous strain on the judicial resources» of the court and would favor the defendants tried later, who would have the advantage of seeing the state's evidence and arguments ahead of time.
A number of other defendants filed similar waivers of their speedy trial right on Wednesday.
According to Georgia law, any defendant who files a demand for a speedy trial has a right
