Former President Donald Trump will have a final chance to challenge Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis' presence at his Georgia criminal trial in October - just weeks before he is expected to face President Joe Biden on election day.
Judges Todd Markle, Trenton Brown and Benjamin Land are tentatively set to hear oral arguments regarding Trump's appeal on October 4.
Willis's office indicted Trump and 18 others on a slew of felony charges - including lying to state officials, harassing election workers and engaging in a cover-up. She was almost immediately the target of right-wing criticism, with Trump describing her as a "rabid partisan" who indicted the former president and his associates based on "fabricated accusations."
Earlier this year, Willis was subject to scrutiny after one of the defendants in the election interference case filed a motion to dismiss the indictment and disqualify Willis' office, based on her having a conflict of interest. The motion was based on Willis' past romantic relationship with lead prosecutor Nathan Wade. A judge ruled that Willis did not have a conflict of interest but decided that either Wade or Willis would have to leave the case - prompting Wade to resign.
Trump's appeal of Judge Scott McAfee's decision was docketed on Monday at the Georgia Court of Appeals. This decision comes just days after Trump was convicted of 34 felonies in Manhattan, connected to hush money payments made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels.
