Lawyers for former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows warned he could be “convicted and incarcerated” in former President Donald Trump’s Georgia election interference case by the time they appeal a judge’s decision denying his request to move his case to federal court, they wrote in a new court filing, as Meadows’ case could be headed to trial as soon as October 23.
Former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows poses for his booking photo on August 24, 2023 in ... [+]
Meadows’ lawyers asked U.S. District Court Judge Steve C. Jones to issue a stay of his Friday ruling rejecting Meadows’ request to move his case to federal court in order to give him time to file an appeal.
His lawyers said they planned to file an expedited appeal of the decision later Monday and argued the judge should pause his ruling “to protect Meadows from a conviction pending appeal,” writing that he “could be convicted and incarcerated” before the appeal plays out.
Meadows’ lawyers said he has already experienced “irreparable harm” from the case as he was forced to surrender in August, post bond and begin preparing a defense.
Whether Trump will also request to move his case to federal court. Meadows is one of five defendants who have made the request.
When the trials in the case could take place. Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee set former Trump attorney Kenneth Chesebro’s trial for October 23, after his legal team requested a speedy trial, and District Attorney Fani Willis has asked the judge to begin all 19 trials on the same date.
Jones on Friday rejected Meadows’ argument that he was acting under the scope of his federal duties when he helped Trump attempt to block the results of the 2020 presidential election in Georgia. The evidence “overwhelmingly suggests that Meadows was not acting in his scope of executive branch duties,” noting Meadows worked with the Trump campaign and admitted the role was outside of his work in the White House. Meadows was charged with racketeering and solicitation of a violation of oath of office in the case. He and the 18 other defendants have all pleaded not guilty.
Judge Denies Mark Meadows’ Request To Move Georgia Election Interference Case To Federal Court (Forbes)
Ex-Trump Aide Mark Meadows Pleads Not Guilty In Georgia Election Case (Forbes)