Fani Willis Hints More Trump Co-Defendants to Take Plea Deals

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis speaks during a news conference in Atlanta, Georgia, about the indictment of Donald Trump and 18 others on Aug. 14, 2023. (Photo by John Basemore/via Getty Images)

In an interview with The Associated Press this week, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis raised the possibility that more of Trump’s 18 co-defendants in the Georgia case could still take plea deals to avoid trial.

So far, four of the 19 people charged have pleaded guilty after reaching deals with prosecutors: Georgia attorney Kenneth Chesebro; former Trump attorneys Jenna Ellis and Sidney Powell; and Georgia bail bondsman Scott Hall. All four will be required to testify against Donald Trump and others in exchange for lighter sentences.

Willis and her team have adamantly expressed they want to have a single trial for the rest of the defendants in the Fulton County, Georgia, indictment related to former President Donald Trump's efforts to overturn the 2020 election.

Attorney Jenna Ellis reacts after reading a statement October 24, 2023, while pleading guilty to a felony count of aiding and abetting false statements and writings inside a Fulton Superior Courtroom. (Photo by John Bazemore/via Getty Images)

Having such a large number of co-defendants could be part of the District Attorney’s legal strategy, because it can cause some defendants, who are facing lesser charges, to