A Georgia appeals court could hear arguments this October about former President Trump’s efforts to remove Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis from the election interference case she brought against the former president.
Arguments are tentatively scheduled for Oct. 4 if an oral argument is “requested and granted,” according to a notice from the Georgia Court of Appeals obtained by The Hill.
The October date makes it even more likely that the election interference case will not come to trial before the November elections, in which Trump is the Republican Party’s presumptive presidential nominee.
“We look forward to presenting arguments before Judges Brown, Markle and Land as to why this case should be dismissed and Fulton County District Attorney Willis should be disqualified for the trial court’s recognized ‘smell of lies’ misconduct, in violation of the Georgia Rules of Professional Conduct,” Trump attorney Steven Sadow said in a statement to The Hill.
Trump and eight other defendants filed appeals to reverse a lower court ruling that allowed Willis the choice to remain on the case if special prosecutor Nathan Wade resigned, given their once-romantic relationship.
Judge Scott McAfee ruled in April that the relationship between Willis and Wade constituted an appearance of conflict of interest in Willis’ racketeering case against Trump, but Willis could remain on the case if Wade left.
The motion to disqualify Willis from the case alleged that Wade’s relationship with the district attorney allowed him to benefit financially from his employment.
The appeal will be decided by a three-judge panel, and after its decision, the losing side may ask the Georgia Supreme Court to consider an appeal.
The Hill has reached out to Willis’ office for comment.
Trump and 18 others were indicted in Georgia last August on allegations they were involved in a scheme to try to illegally overturn the 2020 presidential election. Four defendants pleaded guilty following deals with prosecutors, while Trump and others pleaded not guilty.
It is one of four criminal cases against Trump, one of which the former president was convicted of last week in New York. He was found guilty of all 34 counts of falsifying business records in connection with refunds made for a secret payment before the 2016 election.
This story originally appeared on thehill.com read the full story
