Fani Willis proves the skeptics wrong: 18 co-defendants is a big problem for Donald Trump

[marmar]

Fani Willis proves the skeptics wrong: 18 co-defendants is a big problem for Donald Trump
Yes, a RICO case is tangled and difficult, but one big advantage is emerging: Defendants are fighting each other

By AMANDA MARCOTTE
Senior Writer
PUBLISHED AUGUST 29, 2023 6:00AM (EDT)


(Salon) As soon as it became apparent that Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis was likely to charge Donald Trump under RICO statutes for his efforts to steal the 2020 presidential election in Georgia, the hand-wringing began. Many observers feared that charging a whole bunch of people — in this case, 19! — for an alleged conspiracy typically described as "sprawling" would make things needlessly complicated, creating multiple legal pitfalls and potential failure points.

"Willis might want to consider a simple rule of thumb for all prosecutors: Less is more," wrote Jennifer Rubin of the Washington Post before the 98-page Fulton County indictment came down. Rubin worried that Willis was "heading for an overstuffed case that would take far longer than any of the other Trump indictments (or frankly, all indictments combined) to get to trial and then to a verdict."

....(snip)....

Yet recent developments suggest that Willis knew what she was doing in the Trump case, and may be wilier than her critics assume. Her long experience with RICO seems to have taught her another lesson, one which is already manifesting within the ranks of the Georgia 19: A conspiracy is only as strong as its weakest members. Yes, Trump and most of his fellow coup plotters tried to put on brave faces for their mug shots, hoping to raise funds for their criminal defense. But these people are not hardened criminals, prepared to go to prison rather than flip on the boss. This is a well-heeled and coddled crowd, distinctly unfamiliar with facing serious consequences for their behavior. The scarier this gets for them, the more they're going to consider the possibility that going to prison on behalf of Donald J. Trump is not a good use of their one wild and precious life.

Already, cracks are forming in the Georgia 19's alliance. It didn't take long for some of the lower level people in the alleged "criminal enterprise" to start pointing fingers at Trump. David Shafer, the former chair of Georgia's Republican Party, has already filed documents alleging that he was just acting on Trump's orders when he tried to interfere in the election. Two other defendants quickly followed suit, blaming the former president for their alleged or apparent misdeeds. While those people haven't yet become prosecution witnesses, it sure sounds like they're warming to the idea. Add to this the number of people who are angry they have to pay for their own lawyers because their notoriously cheap ex-boss won't do it, and you've got a rapidly thickening baseline of discontent toward the conspiracy's head honcho. ..............(more)

https://www.salon.com/2023/08/29/fani-willis-proves-the-skeptics/

[EYESORE 9001]

1. Music to me ears

[ProudMNDemocrat]

2. Once reality sets in, the Rats will be jumping ship...

Plenty of plea deals will be happening between now and March.

[MissMillie]

3. One thing is for sure

It creates a dearth of defense witnesses.

Anyone who could have been considered a defense witness is now a defendant.

Options for them are pretty limited.

[gab13by13]

4. This isn't Fani's first rodeo,

There is a reason that Georgia Magats want to fire her.
If the judge rules against Meadows, which he should, goodnight Irene.

Cheseboro, the Kraken, and Eastman made a big mistake going for an early trial. Fani is ready, she started investigating Trump in March of 2021.

Hey people, who are left, better get in line for plea deals. Once Fani wins the early cases you will be shit out of luck, or is your Trump provided lawyer telling you to stay the course and hope that Trump wins the election?

I also suggest you watch the news this week because numerous unwashed faux-militia goons are about to get lengthy prison sentences.
Just go to bed every night and keep repeating to yourself that trump will protect me, Trump will protect me, just like he protected his personal counsel Michael Cohen.
Tick tock tick tock.

[The Magistrate]

5. These Lower Level Idjits, Sir

Are as yet not so much casting blame as asserting a 'color of authority' defense: the President said to, so how can we be wrong? Their statements at present may prove groundwork for turning coats in future, but oughtn't be read as such now: fanatic loyalists would say much the same thing.



"No one feels so keenly the injustices of our criminal justice system as a white man in middle age of conservative bent subjected to its routine for the first time."

[gab13by13]

6. They aren't witnesses, they are targets,

maybe their Trump provided lawyer didn't explain the difference?

[The Magistrate]

7. Their Defense Against the Charge Is This 'Just Following Orders' Line

They could become witnesses, in a deal for dropped or lesser charges, on realizing the defense is liable to fail (which it is), for they clearly reveal personal knowledge of Trump's culpability. But arguing in court that you are blameless because you did what an official told you to is a defense raised successfully on occasion. Charges in DeSantis' show-bust of 'voting felons' fell apart because people could prove they had been told by the registrar they could. A number of people prosecuted for mayhem at the Capitol have claimed they acted at the behest of the President, and so should be held blameless. It has been of no avail. The connection of these co-conspirators to the source is closer, but that doesn't change the matter: the direction wasn't in connection with official duty, and clearly was criminal.

[gab13by13]

8. Yes, you explained it well,

my point is that is their lawyer explaining to them that they can still be found guilty using their excuse that they were only doing as told? They can be convicted and flip on Trump at the same time unless they agree to a cooperation deal.

[onetexan]

17. Sure sounds like they're angling for a plea deal doesn't it?

Turning on their former boss thr Con in return for shorter penalties/prison sentences. Oy...when u make a deal w the devil you always lose. He isn't even paying for their legal bills.

[jmowreader]

15. Unfortunately for them...

...the "just following orders" defense is a guaranteed loser.

[twodogsbarking]

9. Trump arrested four times in five months. How 'bout one for the thumb.

[LiberalFighter]

10. We should listen to Jennifer Rubin because she has practiced law and was a prosecutor.

Oh wait a minute. Did she? Maybe being a blogger and writer makes her one?

Glad Amanda Marcotte showed Rubin doesn't know what she is talking about.

[Xipe Totec]

11. Instead of worshiping, they're going to barbecue the orange calf. nt

[jmowreader]

16. The Golden Calf story always confused me

The people in the town the priest Aaron was running got sick and tired of killing off their breeding stock to pay for transgressions of the law, so they all gave their earrings to him - and I simply must wonder from that story just how many earrings these people had - to make a statuette of a calf. When Moses got back and discovered what they had done he killed off everyone in town EXCEPT THE ASSHOLE WHO MADE THE THING IN THE FIRST PLACE!

[NNadir]

12. Note from Nuremburg:

"I was only following orders" is not a defense. It is, to the contrary, a confession of guilt.

[republianmushroom]

13. Like the posting

Who in their right mind would go to prison for trump ?

[Midnight Writer]

14. "The Prisoner's Dilemma".

This bunch will all be jumping to make the first deal.

[Martin68]

18. A "conspirator's case in court" is only is only as strong as the conspiracy's weakest members.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

19. Very very interesting. Thank you