A Fulton County judge approves the Trump Georgia 2020 election lawsuit being broadcast on television.
In a noteworthy development in the ongoing legal saga surrounding the 2020 election interference racketeering case involving former President Donald Trump and his 18 co-defendants, Fulton County, Georgia’s Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee has made a significant decision.
He has given the green light for all proceedings related to the case to be livestreamed and televised, a move that opens up the courtroom to public scrutiny.
This ruling, though, comes with a caveat. It may be subject to change, and it doesn’t extend to any segments of the case that might be shifted to federal court. So, while transparency is being encouraged, it’s not an absolute guarantee.
During a recent court hearing, Judge McAfee, who has been assigned the high-profile case, made it clear that he intends to make all hearings and potential trials accessible for broadcast on the Fulton County Court YouTube channel. Additionally, he has permitted broadcast news media to employ “pool” cameras, where multiple news organizations collaborate to share camera access within the courtroom.
Interestingly, there was no opposition from either the defense attorneys or the prosecutors regarding the media’s request to bring cameras into the courtroom. This suggests a consensus among all parties involved, at least on this particular matter.
In a further step towards modernizing courtroom proceedings, Judge McAfee has also ruled in favor of allowing members of the media to use cell phones and other electronic devices within the courtroom. However, this privilege is strictly for non-recording purposes, primarily for note-taking.
It’s essential to note that Judge McAfee’s ruling applies solely to the Fulton County state case. Several defendants involved in Georgia’s extensive state racketeering case, including notable figures like former Trump White House chief of staff Mark Meadows and former Justice Department official Jeffrey Clark, have expressed their desire to have their cases transferred to federal court. Federal court proceedings traditionally do not allow cameras, computers, or smartphones inside the courtroom.
Now, all eyes are on US District Judge Steve Jones, who has the authority to decide whether Meadows’ request to move the Fulton County election subversion case to federal court will be granted. The judge’s decision could come at any time, especially since Meadows and the district attorney have submitted opposing briefs in response to a legal question raised during a prior hearing.
The critical question before Judge Jones is whether the case should be transferred if it’s determined that at least one of the incidents outlined in the racketeering case relates to actions carried out by Meadows during his tenure in federal office.
District Attorney Fani Willis has argued in her recent brief that such a finding shouldn’t be enough to warrant a move to federal court. Conversely, Meadows’ legal team maintains that it would indeed justify the relocation of the case.
As this complex legal battle continues to unfold, the decision to allow livestreaming and televised coverage of proceedings in the Fulton County courtroom marks a significant step towards transparency in this high-stakes case.
By: M Z Hossain, Editor Sky Buzz Feed
