Staff Reports
Get ready for a fiery courtroom showdown as the first defendant in the Georgia election case, lawyer Kenneth Chesebro, heads to trial. Along with former President Donald Trump and 17 others, Chesebro stands accused of scheming to overturn the 2020 election results in the state. This trial will provide a front-row seat to the evidence amassed by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis and her team.
Don’t be fooled, even though Trump won’t be showing up to the proceedings, his presence will undoubtedly loom large. The indictment alleges that Chesebro and his co-defendants “refused to accept that Trump lost” and willingly joined a conspiracy to alter the election outcome. As they select the jury, both the defense and prosecution will be keen to ascertain the potential jurors’ feelings towards Trump and their beliefs about election fraud claims.
Originally, Chesebro was set to stand trial alongside Sidney Powell, but she caved and struck a deal with prosecutors. Powell pleaded guilty to six misdemeanor counts, agreeing to testify truthfully if called as a witness in future trials. She was sentenced to probation and ordered to pay a fine. Now it’s up to Chesebro to either cut a deal or face the full force of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO).
Jury selection will begin in the first trial in the Georgia election case against Trump and others https://t.co/Gd0YoxqnD3
— CP24 (@CP24) October 20, 2023
Chesebro’s alleged involvement in the conspiracy included drafting plans to have Georgia Republicans falsely declare Trump the winner and themselves as the “duly elected” electors. He even penned emails outlining strategies to disrupt the joint session of Congress on January 6, 2021. However, his legal team argues that everything he did was within his rights as a constitutional law expert.
In a bold move, Chesebro’s lawyers attempted to prevent prosecutors from using his memos and emails at trial, citing attorney-client privilege and the work product doctrine. Unfortunately for them, the judge swiftly shut down that argument. Now the courtroom drama begins, with 450 prospective jurors filling out an extensive questionnaire and preparing for individual questioning.
Prosecutors have indicated that they plan to prove the entire conspiracy, bringing in an estimated 150 witnesses. Judge Scott McAfee is determined to have the jury seated by November 3, ensuring that the speedy trial deadline is met. Brace yourself for a lengthy trial, as McAfee has warned potential jurors that it could take up to five months to reach a verdict. Stay tuned for updates on this headline-grabbing case that will undoubtedly shape the narrative around election integrity.
