The Georgia Court of Appeals has paused the case against Misty Hampton, Donald Trump's co-defendant, pending Trump's appeal to disqualify Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis.
This ruling is a significant delay for Willis' prosecution efforts in the alleged scheme to overturn Georgia's 2020 presidential election results.
According to Newsweek, Misty Hampton, the former Coffee County elections director, is among the 19 co-defendants accused of attempting to overturn the 2020 election results, including Trump. While all deny the charges, four have accepted plea deals. This pause comes after the Appeals Court overturned Judge Scott McAfee's earlier decision rejecting Hampton's request to suspend her case pending other appeals.
On June 5, the Appeals Court ordered a pause on trial proceedings against Trump and other co-defendants during their appeal against Judge McAfee's decision to allow Willis to remain on the case. The defendants, including Trump, argued that a personal relationship between Willis and lead prosecutor Nathan Wade constituted a conflict of interest.
Willis and Wade acknowledged their relationship but stated it did not result in any personal benefit. Despite finding the evidence of conflict "legally insufficient," Judge McAfee noted "the appearance of impropriety." Consequently, he ruled that Willis must step aside or Wade must withdraw; Wade resigned following the decision.
Trump and nine co-defendants appealed McAfee's ruling, allowing Willis to stay on the case. Although Hampton was not part of the motion to remove Willis, she requested a stay after the Appeals Court paused proceedings against co-defendants who were part of the motion. The Appeals Court granted Hampton's request, pending the resolution of Trump's appeal.
The ruling delays Willis' prosecution plans for six co-defendants, including Hampton, who was not part of the motion to remove her. This decision could encourage other co-defendants to request similar stays, potentially delaying trials for all 15 remaining co-defendants.
An appeals panel is tentatively scheduled to consider Willis' disqualification on October 4. The losing side of this review could appeal to the Georgia Supreme Court, which might prevent Trump's trial before the November 5 election.
Hampton's case and others will remain in limbo until the appellate courts decide on Willis' involvement. This pause complicates the prosecution's timeline and could have significant implications for the co-defendants' trials.
The ongoing legal battles reflect the complexity and high stakes of the case involving Trump and his associates. The delays caused by these appeals could extend the timeline significantly, affecting the overall prosecution strategy.
If Willis is disqualified, the entire legal landscape of the case could be reshaped. However, if the appellate courts uphold her involvement, the prosecution will likely face continued challenges and delays.
According to the Appeals Court ruling:
Based upon Misty Hampton's request that this Court stay her case pending this Court's resolution of the outcome of the appeal in [The State of Georgia v. Donald J. Trump, et al], this Court hereby stays all underlying proceedings against her in the Superior Court of Fulton County pending the outcome of the appeal.
The Georgia Court of Appeals' decision to pause Misty Hampton's case marks a notable delay for Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis' prosecution efforts. This ruling, pending Trump's appeal, affects six co-defendants and could inspire others to seek similar stays. As the appeals process unfolds, the potential for extended delays and their impact on the prosecution strategy remains significant. The case's outcome hinges on the appellate courts' decisions, which will shape the future trials of Trump and his co-defendants.
