Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis has requested a protective order after video from witnesses was leaked in the county's case against former President Donald Trump and his co-defendants.
The office released the information regarding the leaks in a statement on Tuesday.
Fulton County DA Fani Willis's office is seeking an emergency protective order after portions of videos from key witnesses in her election interference case against former President Trump and others were leaked to two news outlets. https://t.co/AcU30YIHuY
— NBC News (@NBCNews) November 14, 2023
"The release of these confidential video recordings is clearly intended to intimidate witnesses in this case, subjecting them to harassment and threats prior to trial," the DA's office said in a court filing Tuesday after parts of the videotaped statements of lawyers Jenna Ellis, Sidney Powell and Kenneth Chesebro and bail bondsman Scott Hall were made public," NBC News reported.
"The four were among the original 19 defendants charged in the racketeering case in August and have all pleaded guilty to related charges. The footage, known as proffer videos, was made pursuant to the defendants’ plea agreements, which required that they provide true and accurate information to prosecutors," it added.
NEW:
Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis has requested an emergency protective order to prevent the leak of potential evidence to be presented in the Georgia racketeering trial of former President Donald Trump.https://t.co/DzRyxkT4Bs
— Republicans against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) November 14, 2023
"The prosecution also stated in the filing, which was cosigned by deputy prosecutors Donald Wakeford and Will Wooten, that they would no longer share similar videos with the defense team; instead, they will only be allowed to view the videos at the district attorney’s office, where they will be allowed to take notes," Mediaite stated.
"The filing requested a 'permanent order prohibiting disclosure of any discovery materials by any party,'" it continued.
Insanity.
"Fulton County DA says Trump trial could go into 2025, leak of video testimony ‘disappointing’https://t.co/J0NeYnjQ3I
— John Smith (New) 🇺🇲 (@JohnSmithNew2) November 15, 2023
"Willis also said that she believes the trial in the sprawling racketeering case against Trump and 18 codefendants could potentially continue until early 2025, in an interview at a Washington Post global women’s summit," Politico reported.
“I believe in that case there will be a trial,” Willis said. “I believe the trial will take many months. And I don’t expect that we will conclude until the winter or the very early part of 2025.”
The situation could lead to Trump winning the 2024 election but still being called to court.
Another option could result in the case being held just before the 2024 election.
The tensions continue to build in the legal battle, with many months to go as Trump seeks a comeback bid for the White House.
