(15 Feb 2024)
FOR CLEAN VERSION SEE STORY NUMBER: 4478426, 4449076,4478405, 4468448
HEADLINE: Former Friend of Georgia DA Contradicts Dates
POOL
Atlanta --- 15 February 2024
1. Robin Yeartie, via Zoom, raising her hand and taking the oath
ANNOTATION: A witness says a relationship between Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis and Special Prosecutor Nathan Wade started earlier than reported.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
ARCHIVE: Atlanta – 14 August 2023
2. Fani Willis standing next to Nathan Wade announcing charges against Donald Trump
ANNOTATION: The discrepancy could upend the case accusing Donald Trump and others of conspiring to overturn the 2020 presidential election results in Georgia.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
New York - 15 February 2024
3. Trump walking in hallway
ANNOTATION: Willis’ former friend testified that Willis’ romantic relationship with the special prosecutor began before she hired him to lead the election case.
POOL
Atlanta --- 15 February 2024
4. Wide of courtroom
5. Zoom screen with attorney, Yeartie
6. SOUNDBITE (English) Robin Yeartie, witness, answering questions from Trump lead attorney Steve Sadow:
STEVE SADOW: "Are you certain that Ms. Wade told you, I'm sorry Miss Willis, told you about a romantic relationship with Mr. Wade prior to November 1st of 2021?
YEARTIE: "Yes"
ANNOTATION: Yeartie’s testimony directly contradicts Willis' and Wade’s statements about their relationship.
7. SOUNDBITE (English) Nathan Wade, special prosecutor: answering questions from Ashleigh Merchant, who is Trump co-defendant Michael Roman's lawyer:
MERCHANT: "When did your romantic relationship with Miss Willis begin?
WADE: "2022."
MERCHANT: "When In 2022?"
WADE: "Early 2022."
MERCHANT: "So you were appointed in November of 2021?"
WADE: "Yes, ma'am."
ANNOTATION: An attorney representing a Trump co-defendant claims the relationship is a conflict of interest that should disqualify Willis from the case.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
ARCHIVE: Atlanta – 13 December 2023
8. Fani Willis sits in office during interview
ANNOTATION: The hearing this week will determine whether Willis should be removed from the case.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
New York - 15 February 2024
9. Donald Trump exits Trump Tower
ANNOTATION: If she’s removed, the case would likely not go to trial before November, when Trump is expected to be the Republican nominee for president.
STORYLINE:
A former friend and co-worker of Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis testified Thursday that Willis’ personal relationship with a special prosecutor began before she hired him to lead the election interference case against Donald Trump.
Robin Yeartie’s testimony directly contradicts statements from Willis and Nathan Wade that their personal relationship didn't begin until after Wade was hired in November 2021. Wade, who took the witness stand after Yeartie, testified that his relationship with Willis began in early 2022.
The differing testimony came in a hearing that could determine whether Willis should be removed from the case accusing Trump and others of conspiring to overturn the 2020 presidential election results in Georgia. Willis’ removal would be a stunning development in the most sprawling of the four criminal cases against Trump. An additional delay would likely lessen the chance that a trial would be held before the November election, when he is expected to be the Republican nominee for president.
But Yeartie, who previously worked in the district attorney’s office, testified that she saw Wade and Willis hugging and kissing prior to November 2021.
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