Georgia's appeals court has agreed to hear former U.S. President Donald Trump’s attempt to disqualify the district attorney prosecuting him for his actions following the 2020 election, according to a court order on Tuesday.
This decision extends the legal battle, which includes claims related to a previous romantic relationship between Fani Willis, the district attorney in Fulton County, and a former top deputy, a connection that Trump's defense has used to challenge the case.
Trump and eight others facing charges in Georgia's state court have asked the appeals court to reverse a judge's March decision allowing Willis to remain as prosecutor.
The court's decision to hear the appeal before trial could lead to further delays in the case, one of four criminal prosecutions facing Trump as he runs against Democratic President Joe Biden in the upcoming election.
Trump has pleaded not guilty and accused prosecutors of politically motivated actions to damage his campaign. (Reporting by Andrew Goudsward; Editing by Scott Malone, Lisa Shumaker, and Susan Heavey)