Harry Litman (Talking Feds) explains Fulton County DA's clever motion that challenges Judge McAfee

[ancianita]

Fulton County District Attorney has put things in Federal Judge McAfee's hands. With Kenneth Cheseboro pushing for a speedy trial, will all 19 defendants join him for a joint trial, or will they sever and go it alone?

[soldierant]

1. If I understand this correctly

the default is that they all get the speedy trial togehter. Powell and Eastman want speedy trials, so they will get October 23; anyone else who doesn't want that will need to file a seperate motion to sever. Is that what you understood also?

[ancianita]

2. That's how I understand it, too. But

I think the same RICO charges will stand. I'm not sure that the judge will allow them to sever without a hearing. Gotta say, though, that this seems a bit complicated for me as a layperson. Guess I'll learn how this works as it plays out.

[soldierant]

3. Oh, the charges will stand.

Even if Meadows (and/or anyone else) gets it moved to Federal court, it will still be tried under Georgia law, by Georgia prosecutors. The judge will be a Federal judge and the jury pool will be different, but that's all.

And if they're tried by the state - well, the charges are the charges.

I'm pretty sure I've read the most defendants they can have in a courtroom at one time is six. It's not like they - and specificallly Willis - haven't done this before.