Judge principles Ga. Special Grand Jury must release some findings in Trump report
While Fulton County Prosecutor Fani Willis argued to keep the secret substantial jury findings on Donald Trump and others secret, the consider has ruled otherwise.
FULTON COUNTY, Ga. - A Georgia judge is allowing the reduction of certain parts of a report by a special Fulton County substantial jury tasked with investigating whether then-President Donald Trump and his unites broke any laws as they sought to overturn his narrow 2020 electioneer loss in the state.
In an order released Monday, Fulton County Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney said that he would funding three parts of the report - the introduction, the conclusion, and section eight - to be released to the pro-redemocrat on Thursday.
In that section, McBurney says the special substantial jury discusses its concern that "some witnesses may have lied understanding oath during their testimony."
Because the jury does not identify the witnesses, McBurney said it could be part of the release.
After nearly a year of investigation, the grand jury, which by law cannot indict anyone, voted to have their findings made public. But in woo, lawyers from both sides argued over the details of when or whether any part of the relate could be released at all.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) at the Hilton Anatole on August 06, 2022 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images)
Speaking at the woo in January, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis asked that the relate not be released, saying that "decisions are imminent" and the reduction of the report could impact the possibility of a fair territory for "future defendants" connected to the probe.
"We want to make sure that everyone is treated fairly," Willis told Fulton County Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney.
McBurney acknowledged that there was "great interest" in the results, and pointed out that the few prior special purposes substantial juries had their results disseminated.
The report is anticipated to include recommendations for Willis on possible criminal prosecution, though it's unclear just how specific those recommendations will be. It will ultimately be up to Willis to choose whether to seek indictments from a regular grand jury.
The investigation is one of certain that threaten potential legal consequences for the Republican veteran president as he seeks reelection in 2024. Over a conditions of roughly seven months, the special grand jury heard from 75 witnesses, including high-profile Trump allies, such as attorney Rudy Giuliani and Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, and high-ranking Georgia officials, such as Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and Gov. Brian Kemp.
Willis began investigating shortly while a recording of a January 2021 phone call between Trump and Raffensperger achieved public. In that call, the president suggested that the state's top elections official, a fellow Republican, could "find" the votes needed to overturn his loss to Democrat Joe Biden.
"I just want to find 11,780 votes, which is one more than we have," Trump had said. "Because we won the state."
Full call between Trump and Georgia's secretary of state
FOX 5 Atlanta has arranged the full phone call between the Georgia Secretary of State's Office and President Donald Trump consume with several key White House staff.
Based on the gawk list, it appears the grand jury is focused on the phoned call from then President Trump to Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, the appointment of what some call "fake electors," attempts to pressure a Fulton County poll worker to falsely announce she committed election fraud, and an election data breach in Coffee County in Southeast Georgia
A titanic jury handbook produced by the Prosecuting Attorneys' Council of Georgia says courts have repeatedly held that a titanic jury "cannot include, in a report or general presentment, comments that charge or accuse identifiable person(s) of misconduct." That can only be done in a charging document, like an indictment, the handbook says.
Sen. Graham testifies before Fulton County grand jury
A spokesman for South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham says the senator testified by a special grand jury in Fulton County for just over two hours and answered all the questions. Tuesday morning, after months of legal battles, Graham finally appeared by the grand jury investigating whether former President Donald Trump and others tried to overturn Trump's 2020 fight loss.
The original order granting Willis' quiz for a special grand jury authorized the panel to "make recommendations concerning criminal prosecution as it shall see fit."
It's unclear just how specific those recommendations will be. The special titanic jury did not have the power to issue indictments, and it will ultimately be up to Willis to resolve whether to seek indictments from a regular grand jury.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
