Judge Says He Will Decide Whether To DQ Fani Willis Within Two Weeks

March 1, 2024
ATLANTA, GA - FEBRUARY 27: Fulton County Superior Judge Scott McAfee presides during a hearing in the case of the State of Georgia v. Donald John Trump at the Fulton County Courthouse on February 27, 2024 in Atlanta,... ATLANTA, GA - FEBRUARY 27: Fulton County Superior Judge Scott McAfee presides during a hearing in the case of the State of Georgia v. Donald John Trump at the Fulton County Courthouse on February 27, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. Witness and attorney Terrence Bradley testified as Judge McAfee considered an effort by lawyers for former President Donald Trump to disqualify Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis over her romantic relationship with prosecutor Nathan Wade, who had been Bradley's law partner. (Photo by Brynn Anderson-Pool/Getty Images) MORE LESS
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March 1, 2024

The two month saga of Trumpworld’s attempt to disqualify Fulton County DA Fani Willis is drawing to a close after Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee heard closing arguments in the case on Friday.

The hearing focused only on arguments, with McAfee deeming the evidentiary portion over.

Defense attorneys took turns trying to persuade McAfee to adopt a light standard for disqualification: the appearance of a conflict of interest, not an actual conflict of interest. They also tried to convince him that it would be enough to find that Willis and prosecutor Nathan Wade misled the court about when the relationship began.

The DA’s Office countered in a meandering argument which gained steam at the end. Per the prosecutors, defense attorneys had failed to prove the substance of an actual conflict. The defense witnesses were out for vengeance, prosecutors said, and Willis had suffered harassment as a result.

McAfee said that he expected to issue a ruling, including on some of the factual questions, in two weeks.

Read our coverage below.

The hearing will be livestreamed here.

More Less

The two month saga of Trumpworld’s attempt to disqualify Fulton County DA Fani Willis is drawing to a close after Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee heard closing arguments in the case on Friday.

The hearing focused only on arguments, with McAfee deeming the evidentiary portion over.

Defense attorneys took turns trying to persuade McAfee to adopt a light standard for disqualification: the appearance of a conflict of interest, not an actual conflict of interest. They also tried to convince him that it would be enough to find that Willis and prosecutor Nathan Wade misled the court about when the relationship began.

The DA’s Office countered in a meandering argument which gained steam at the end. Per the prosecutors, defense attorneys had failed to prove the substance of an actual conflict. The defense witnesses were out for vengeance, prosecutors said, and Willis had suffered harassment as a result.

McAfee said that he expected to issue a ruling, including on some of the factual questions, in two weeks.

Read our coverage below.

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