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Georgia grand jury meeting today whether Trump is charged over Georgia’s 2020 election
Georgia grand jury meeting today whether Trump is charged over Georgia’s 2020 election
A grand jury being seated Tuesday in Atlanta will likely consider whether criminal charges are appropriate for former President Donald Trump or his Republican allies for their efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss in Georgia. Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis has been investigating since shortly after Trump called Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger in early 2021 and suggested the state's top elections official could help him “find 11,780 votes,” just enough needed to beat Democrat Joe Biden. The 2 1/2-year investigation expanded to include an examination of a slate of Republican fake electors, phone calls by Trump and others to Georgia officials in the weeks after the 2020 election and unfounded allegations of widespread election fraud made to state lawmakers. Willis, a Democrat, is expected to present her case before one of two new grand juries being seated Tuesday. She has previously suggested that any indictments would likely come in August. Here's how that process would work: WAIT. WASN'T THERE ALREADY A GRAND JURY IN THIS CASE? Yes. About a year into her investigation, Willis took the unusual step of asking for a special grand jury. She said at the time that she needed the panel's subpoena power to compel testimony from witnesses who otherwise might not be willing to talk to her team. That special grand jury was seated in May 2022 and was released in January after completing its work. It was essentially an investigative tool and didn't have the power to indict. Instead, it issued subpoenas and considered testimony from about 75 witnesses, as well as other evidence, before drafting a final report with recommendations for Willis. While part of that report was made public in February, the judge overseeing the special grand jury said any recommendations on specific charges for specific people would remain secret for the time being. The panel's foreperson said in media interviews later that month that they recommended indicting numerous people, but she declined to name names. Willis isn't bound by the special grand jury's recommendations. WHO MIGHT WILLIS BE EYEING FOR POSSIBLE CHARGES? Willis sent letters last summer warning certain people — including the state's fake electors and former New York mayor and Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani — that they could face charges in the case. Some of the fake electors have since reached immunity deals with Willis' team. While she hasn't said one way or the other whether she would seek charges against Trump, Willis has repeatedly said no one is above the law. Willis is a fan of Georgia’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, and there have been hints she'll use it in this case. The RICO Act allows prosecutors to bring charges against multiple people that they believe committed separate crimes while working toward a common goal. HOW COMMON ARE REGULAR GRAND JURIES? Very. There are generally two grand juries seated in Fulton County in each two-month term of court. They usually meet every week — one on Mondays and Tuesdays and the other on Thursdays and Fridays. Their work takes place behind closed doors, not open to the public or to news media. Grand jurors must be U.S. citizens who are at least 18 years old and must live in the county where they serve. Each grand jury is made up of 16 to 23 people and up to three alternates — at least 16 must be present for cases for the grand jury to hear any evidence or take any official action. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE CASE IS PRESENTED TO THE GRAND JURY? Georgia law requires an indictment from a grand jury to prosecute someone in most felony cases — things like murder, aggravated assault, robbery and other crimes. When prosecutors present a case, they're trying to convince the grand jurors that there is probable cause that one or more people committed crimes and to get the grand jurors to sign off on bringing charges against them. For each case, prosecutors read or explain the potential indictment and then call witnesses or present any other evidence. Any witnesses who testify must swear an oath to tell the truth. Often in Georgia, the only witnesses the grand jury hears from are law enforcement officers, including investigators for the district attorney's office. They can tell the grand jurors what they've learned in their investigation, including what suspects or witnesses have said and what other evidence they have. Members of the grand jury are allowed to question witnesses. In general, a person who is named as a defendant on the potential indictment cannot be called to testify before the grand jury. HOW DO GRAND JURY DELIBERATIONS WORK? After the case has been presented, only members of the grand jury can be in the room for deliberations. They discuss the case and vote on whether to return a “true bill” or a “no bill.” A “true bill” means the grand jurors have voted to indict because they think there is probable cause to believe that the person accused committed the alleged crimes. A “no bill” means the grand jurors don't believe the person committed the alleged crimes or there isn't enough evidence to indict. At least 16 grand jurors must participate in the voting, and an indictment requires 12 of them to vote in favor of charges. The grand juror oath in Georgia requires jurors to “keep the deliberations of the Grand Jury secret unless called upon to give evidence thereof in some court of law of this State.” WHAT HAPPENS AFTER GRAND JURORS VOTE? If a grand jury votes to bring charges, the indictment must be presented in open court by the grand jury or the sworn grand jury bailiff in a courtroom where a judge and the clerk are present. Then it is filed in the clerk's office and is a public document. Soon after that, those charged will be booked and have their first court appearances. If the grand jury votes against indicting anyone, prosecutors can present the case again to a different grand jury. But if two grand juries vote not to indict on the same charges, prosecutors generally cannot try again to get an indictment on those charges. IF TRUMP IS INDICTED, CAN HE STILL RUN FOR PRESIDENT? Yes. Neither an indictment nor a conviction would prevent Trump from running for or winning the presidency in 2024. He has already been indicted twice this year in other cases. He faces 34 felony charges in New York state court accusing him of falsifying business records in a hush money scheme over allegations of extramarital sexual encounters. And he faces 37 felony charges in federal court in Florida accusing him of hoarding classified documents and refusing government demands to give them back. In addition, a Justice Department special counsel is investigating his efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election in multiple states, as well as the events leading up to the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. Read More Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Pence shuts down voter who blamed him for certifying Biden’s 2020 win Trump’s co-defendant wants to delay routine hearing on classified documents case Ex-Congressman suggests Hunter Biden alleged laptop data fabricated
2023-07-11 20:15
Iowa's special session places abortion at forefront in 2024 GOP primary
Iowa's special session places abortion at forefront in 2024 GOP primary
Iowa's legislature will kick off a special session Tuesday aimed at banning abortion in most cases after about six weeks of pregnancy, elevating the issue in a state blanketed by 2024 presidential contenders who have sought to avoid the kinds of specifics the Republican-led state House and Senate are poised to consider.
2023-07-11 19:18
Thailand's Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha announces retirement from politics
Thailand's Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha announces retirement from politics
Thailand's Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha will not seek re-election and will retire from politics, his party said Tuesday.
2023-07-11 18:51
Trump seeks to delay classified documents trial until after 2024 election
Trump seeks to delay classified documents trial until after 2024 election
Lawyers for the former US president argue a December trial would deny them reasonable time to prepare.
2023-07-11 17:48
Slovak Firebrand’s Push to Block Help for Ukraine Hits Trouble
Slovak Firebrand’s Push to Block Help for Ukraine Hits Trouble
The potential kingmaker in Slovakia’s fall election criticized his frontrunner rival for anti-US and anti-Ukraine rhetoric and said
2023-07-11 16:45
GOP confidence in 2024 vote count low after years of false election claims, AP-NORC poll shows
GOP confidence in 2024 vote count low after years of false election claims, AP-NORC poll shows
Few Republicans have high confidence that votes will be tallied accurately in next year’s presidential contest, suggesting years of sustained attacks against elections by former President Donald Trump and his allies have taken a toll
2023-07-11 12:29
GOP presidential candidates jump to defend Iowa governor from Trump's criticism over remaining neutral
GOP presidential candidates jump to defend Iowa governor from Trump's criticism over remaining neutral
A handful of Republican presidential candidates on Monday came to the defense of Iowa Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds -- who holds a uniquely powerful position as governor of the first-in-the-nation GOP caucus state -- after former President Donald Trump criticized her for staying neutral in the 2024 nominating contest.
2023-07-11 09:57
Retired Army Capt. Sam Brown mounts 2nd bid for US Senate in Nevada after losing GOP primary in 2022
Retired Army Capt. Sam Brown mounts 2nd bid for US Senate in Nevada after losing GOP primary in 2022
Retired Army Capt. Sam Brown is running for the U.S. Senate in Nevada again
2023-07-11 08:56
Rudy Giuliani is negotiating possible resolution to lawsuit brought by 2 Georgia election workers
Rudy Giuliani is negotiating possible resolution to lawsuit brought by 2 Georgia election workers
Rudy Giuliani is negotiating a possible resolution in his ongoing court dispute with former Georgia election workers Wandrea "Shaye" Moss and Ruby Freeman, after they accused him of defaming them following the 2020 election and already won nearly $90,000 from him for attorneys' fees.
2023-07-11 08:51
Republican Army veteran Sam Brown launches bid for US Senate in Nevada
Republican Army veteran Sam Brown launches bid for US Senate in Nevada
By Josephine Walker WASHINGTON Republican U.S. Army combat veteran Sam Brown on Monday launched a run for his
2023-07-11 05:49
Following Uvalde shooting, Democrat Roland Gutierrez becomes Ted Cruz's latest challenger
Following Uvalde shooting, Democrat Roland Gutierrez becomes Ted Cruz's latest challenger
Republican Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas has drawn another Democratic challenger in the 2024 U.S. Senate race
2023-07-11 05:27
Cameron bows out of Kentucky political event hosted by possible Rep. Massie challenger
Cameron bows out of Kentucky political event hosted by possible Rep. Massie challenger
Republican gubernatorial nominee Daniel Cameron is pulling out of a September political rally he had planned to attend
2023-07-11 04:57
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