Judge to release parts of Georgia special grand jury report

A special grand jury was convened to look into allegations that former president Donald Trump and his friends attempted to reverse his close 2020 election defeat in Georgia. The judge who oversaw the investigation has authorized the publication of portions of the report prepared by the grand jury.

Three weeks after hearing arguments from prosecutors, who recommended the report be kept secret until they decide on charges, and a coalition of media organizations, who lobbied for its publication, Fulton County Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney revealed his decision on Monday.

McBurney said Thursday’s publication will include the report’s opening and conclusion, as well as the portion where the grand jurors voiced worries that certain witnesses may have lied under oath.

The release represents a major turning point in the case, which had threatened to put the former president in legal trouble as he prepared to run for president again in 2024. About seven months were spent by the special grand jury hearing testimony from witnesses including attorney Rudy Giuliani and South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham, as well as high-ranking Georgia officials like Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and Governor Brian Kemp.

McBurney stated that Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis would benefit from the study since it provides “a list of who should (or should not) be indicted, and for what in respect to the conduct (and aftermath of the 2020 general election in Georgia.” Since the special grand jury lacked the authority to issue charges, Willis will have to make the call as to whether or not to seek indictments from a regular grand jury.

On January 24th, Willis had argued against the rapid publication of the report in a hearing, claiming that doing so would violate the rights of possible defendants and hinder the capacity to prosecute people who may be charged with crimes.

We want everyone to be handled properly, and we don’t think it’s appropriate to have this report disclosed at this time so that future defendants may be treated fairly,” Willis said at the hearing.

The public’s “exceptional” interest in the study has been cited in support of its quick, complete release by a coalition of news companies, including The Associated Press.