Fulton County hearing: Trump case hangs in balance as judge mulls DA disqualification

The defense wants to disqualify DA Fani Willis in Trump's Georgia election case.

ByOlivia Rubin, Will Steakin, Peter Charalambous, Lucien Bruggeman, and Laura Romero
Last Updated: March 5, 2024, 7:10 PM EST

Following three days of testimony plus closing arguments, Scott McAfee, the judge overseeing former President Donald Trump's Georgia election interference case, is weighing motions to disqualify Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, primarily over accusations from Trump co-defendant Michael Roman that she benefited financially from a "personal, romantic relationship" with prosecutor Nathan Wade, who she hired for the case.

Willis and Wade, in a court filing, admitted to the relationship but said it "does not amount to a disqualifying conflict of interest" and that the relationship "has never involved direct or indirect financial benefit to District Attorney Willis."

Top headlines:

Here's how the news is developing. All times Eastern.
Feb 16, 2024, 10:19 AM EST

State was 'satisfied' with Willis' testimony, source says

A source familiar with the state's decision-making process tells ABC News the state did not recall DA Fani Willis to the stand because they were ultimately "satisfied" with her testimony Thursday.

The source said they felt Willis "addressed everything," and that they could stand on that testimony moving forward.

"Why reopen it?" the source said.

As a result of the state deciding not to cross-examine Willis, the defense now won't have a chance to question her again.

Feb 16, 2024, 9:26 AM EST

Former associate of Wade expected to testify next

Less than 10 minutes after the hearing started, the court is in recess until Judge McAfee hears from both parties.

Terrance Bradley, a former business associate of Nathan Wade, is expected to testify but he is not in court yet.

Bradley briefly testified Thursday but the issue of attorney-client privilege came up and he was dismissed.

Attorneys are currently going over the questions for Bradley that won't violate privilege.

Feb 16, 2024, 9:19 AM EST

Willis does not take stand on Day 2 of hearing

After a dramatic and heated Day 1, DA Fani Willis is not taking the stand for Day 2 of the hearing.

The state told the court they have no further questions for the district attorney.


Multiple attorneys for defendants in the case, including Trump's attorney Steve Sadow and Michael Roman's attorney Ashleigh Merchant, are in the courtroom, but Willis is not present.

Judge Scott McAfee said his goal is to finish up the evidentiary hearing today.

Feb 15, 2024, 5:35 PM EST

Court adjourns, Willis will be back on stand Friday

DA Fani Willis stepped off the stand for the day following more than two hours of highly charged testimony.

The DA is scheduled to be back on the stand tomorrow morning for the hearing's second day.

Judge McAfee reviewed other motions for Day 2, then adjourned the hearing until Friday.

Willis did not respond to questions from ABC News after leaving the courtroom.

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