In a plot twist, the state says they have no further questions for Fulton County DA Fani Willis. This means that she will not be testifying today.
The defense is calling their next witness — Terrence Bradley. Bradley is special prosecutor Nathan Wade’s former law partner and one-time friend. But his attorney says Bradley is not here because he has a doctor’s appointment right now. He is expected to testify soon.
In a court filing last week, Trump co-defendant Michael Roman’s attorney Ashleigh Merchant said Bradley will testify that Wade and Willis began their “improper” affair before she appointed him to prosecute Trump and his 18 co-defendants.
WATCH: Fani Willis asks for a tissue then appears to wink at someone in the courtroom. pic.twitter.com/hkpYe6ABOY
— Caleb Parke (@calebparke) February 15, 2024
“Willis and Wade claim they did not have a personal, romantic relationship before Willis appointed Wade as a special prosecutor, but Terrence Bradley (“Bradley”) will refute that claim,” Merchant wrote.
He will testify that the romantic relationship between Wade and Willis began before Willis was sworn as the district attorney for Fulton County in January 2021, the filing stated.
“Thus, Bradley can confirm that Willis contracted with Wade after Wade and Willis began a romantic relationship, thus rebutting Wade’s claim in his affidavit that they did not start dating until 2022,” Merchant wrote.
After the surprising announcement that Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis won’t take the stand Friday, the court is taking a short break.
Terrence Bradley, the next witness, won’t be available to testify until at least 10:00 a.m. ET, because of a doctor’s appointment.
In the meantime, lawyers are using this time to go over privilege issues that may come up during his questioning. This is because Bradley was at one time Wade’s divorce lawyer — so the state and Bradley’s attorney are concerned a lot of the questions will potentially violate attorney-client privilege.
Judge Scott McAfee ordered a short recess while the defense and the state go over questions that the defense plans to ask to address any privilege issues before Bradley takes the stand.
There is no time set for when the court will resume its session.
The defense attorneys present are: Steve Sadow, representing former President Donald Trump; Ashleigh Merchant and John Merchant for Michael Roman, a co-defendant in the election interference case; Craig Gillen and Anthony Lake, representing David Shafer; Harry MacDougald for Jeffrey Clark; Allyn Stockton Jr. for Rudy Giuliani; William Cromwell for Cathy Lathan; Richard Rice and Christopher Anulewicz for Robert Cheeley; and an attorney for former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, who appeared virtually.
