Georgia prosecutors propose Aug. 5 trial date for Trump
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Prosecutors in former President Donald Trump's election interference case in Georgia on Friday proposed starting the trial on Aug. 5, 2024, just months before the November U.S. presidential election.
If that date is accepted by Judge Scott McAfee, Trump could potentially be on trial for allegedly trying to overturn the last presidential election when Americans vote in the next one.
In a filing late Friday, Trump opposed the proposed start date.
Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, who is overseeing the prosecution, said earlier this week that the trial will likely last «many months» and may not conclude until the winter of 2025, well after the Nov. 5, 2024 presidential election.
Trump is currently leading his rivals for the Republican presidential nomination by a wide margin. The party will formally pick its candidate at a convention in July following several months of nominating contests.
Trump and 14 co-defendants have pleaded not guilty to racketeering and other charges for allegedly working to overturn his narrow defeat in Georgia following the 2020 election.
«This proposed trial date balances potential delays from Defendant Trump’s other criminal trials in sister sovereigns and the other defendants’ constitutional speedy trial rights,» Willis said.
The district attorney said earlier this week that she would not consider the campaign schedule in her handling of the case.
Prosecutors also requested a June 2024 deadline for defendants in the case to reach plea deals. Four people initially charged have so far pleaded guilty.
Willis said in Friday's filing that prosecutors would be able to try Trump and all remaining defendants in the case together in one trial.
The Georgia trial will
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