Fulton County’s district attorney will pick a special grand jury Monday to investigate allegations former President Donald Trump criminally interfered with Georgia’s elections in 2020.
The grand jury is an unusual kind of one because it doesn’t indict, it just investigates. It will be investigating the now-infamous phone call between Trump and Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger.
“So look, all I want to do is just, I want to find 11,780 votes, which is one more than we have, because we won the state,” Trump said during that call to Raffensperger.
At the center of a special purpose grand jury’s investigation are allegations that Trump criminally interfered with the state’s 2020 election.
“Many, many people were not cooperative. They did not want to volunteer and come speak with us,” Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis said about the case.
Channel 2′s Richard Elliot spoke exclusively with Willis on Friday. She said too many potential witnesses refused to come and talk to her about those allegations.
But now, she said, those witnesses will have to talk under oath to the grand jury.
“With a special purpose grand jury, they’ll have the ability to put a subpoena in your hand and compel you to come testify,” Willis said.
It can also subpoena evidence like documents and recordings.
Last year, Willis sent four letters to the governor, the lieutenant governor, the secretary of state and attorney general ordering them to preserve anything that could be considered evidence.
The grand jury will consider everything and then will recommend whether it believes there’s enough evidence to indict the former president on criminal charges.
“If we should find that there was criminal interference into the election, then we are hopeful that the grand jury will see it appropriate to recommend indictment,” Willis said.
Elliot attempted to contact Trump’s office Friday for comment. So far, he hasn’t received one. The secretary of state’s office declined to comment on the proceedings.
RELATED STORIES:
- FULL AUDIO: Call between Trump, Georgia Secretary of State investigator over signature match audit
- Fulton DA requests special grand jury for Trump investigation
- Judges allow Fulton DA to convene special grand jury in probe against former President Trump
- Fulton DA closer to decision on charges in Trump investigation
Because of Monday’s grand jury, security will be extra tight at the Fulton County Courthouse.
Channel 2′s Dave Huddleston spoke exclusively with Fulton County Sheriff Pat Labat, who said his deputies are ready for protests and unrest.
Almost two months ago, the Atlanta bomb squad was called in after a suspicious package was left near the courthouse.
That was because of death threats against Willis.
Labat told Huddleston that because Atlanta hosts so many big events, he said his team are ready for court.
“The safety and security of our customers is first and foremost, so we’re prepared,” Labat said. “We’ve canceled a few off days and we are working longer shifts.”
All to keep the courthouse up and running while the high-profile grand jury determines if Trump violated state election laws.
Labat said his team is treating this situation like one of Atlanta’s big events.
“We planned accordingly as if we had planned for the Super Bowl, the Peachtree Road Race,” Labat said.
He told Huddleston that his office is also bringing in re-enforcements.
“We’ve brought in additional resources. We have partnered with state and local law enforcement agencies,” Labat said.
Starting Monday, Labat will shut down streets surrounding the courthouse.
Pryor Street, Mitchell Street and Central Avenue all will be closed to vehicle traffic. The only way into the courthouse is on the Central Avenue side.
He also told Huddleston that he’s not expecting the former president to show up.
“At this stage, I don’t suspect that will happen,” Labat said.
The courthouse and the Fulton County Government center both will be open.
Because of the street closures. you should give yourself plenty of time to make your court appearance.
IN OTHER NEWS:
©2022 Cox Media Group
