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Sparks flew in a Fulton County, Georgia, courtroom Thursday afternoon when embattled Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis took the stand to testify in opposition to allegations she had an “improper” affair with particular prosecutor Nathan Wade, which might derail her case in opposition to former President Trump.
At one level, Willis was requested by a Trump lawyer, Ashley Merchant, in a heated second if she had any “proof” that she reimbursed Wade for holidays as a result of the funds have been in money.
“The testimony of one witness is enough to prove a fact,” Willis responded. “Are you telling me I’m lying?”
“I’m asking if you have any proof,” the lawyer responded. And Willis shot again, “The proof is what I just told you.”
JUDGE WARNS FANI WILLIS OVER OUTBURSTS IN HEATED TESTIMONY
Fulton County DA Fani Willis (Getty Images )
“Has Nathan Wade ever visited you at the place you laid your head?” Merchant requested Willis in one other query associated to the timeline of her relationship with Wade.
“When?” an exasperated Willis responded.
“Has he ever visited you at the place you lay your head,” the lawyer repeated.
“So let’s be clear since you lied,” Willis stated earlier than selecting up varied piles of paper.
“Right here, you lied right here,” Willis stated, earlier than shouting “No, no, no” when the lawyer interjected.
“It is a lie,” Willis stated whereas holding two piles of papers above her head. “It is a lie.”
At that time, a five-minute recess was known as.
Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis testifies in the case of the State of Georgia v. Donald John Trump on the Fulton County Courthouse Feb. 15, 2024, in Atlanta. (Alyssa Pointer-Pool/Getty Images)
The state of affairs grew to become so heated at one level the choose issued a warning to Willis.
“He never came there, OK. So, if you don’t come someplace, you can’t live there as well,” Willis stated, prompting a response from Judge Scott McAfee.
FULTON COUNTY DA FANI WILLIS ACCUSED OF LYING ABOUT TIMING OF AFFAIR WITH TRUMP PROSECUTOR
“I’m gonna have to caution this,” McAfee stated. “Listen to the questions as asked. If this happens again and again, I’m gonna have no choice but to strike your testimony.”
Willis took problem with being characterised as a hostile witness throughout one other second.
“I very much want to be here, so I’m not a hostile witness,” Willis stated. “I very much want to be here.”
Former President Trump speaks on the New York Young Republican Club Gala at Cipriani Wall Street Dec. 9, 2023, in New York City. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
“It’s not so much you’re a hostile witness, Ms. Willis. It would be an adverse witness,” McAfee responded. “Your interests are opposed to Ms. Merchant’s.”
“Ms. Merchant’s interests are, contrary to democracy, your Honor, not to mine,” Willis responded.
“I had some contact with Mr. Wade in 2021, one of the reasons your allegations are so preposterous, or Miss Merchant’s,” Willis stated throughout one other second earlier than being interrupted by Trump lawyer Steve Sadow and requested a query for a second time concerning the timing of a gathering with Wade.
“I had very limited contact with him because Mr. Wade had a form of cancer that makes your allegation somewhat ridiculous,” Willis stated.
“I do appreciate the characterization,” Sadow stated.
“I’m not going to emasculate a black man,” Willis responded. “Did you understand that? I don’t think we should discuss further.”
“You’re confused,” Willis stated at one other level in the trial. “You think I’m on trial? These people are on trial for trying to steal an election in 2020. I’m not on trial no matter how hard you try to put me on trial.”
Willis employed Wade in 2021 to assist prosecute her sweeping racketeering case in opposition to Trump. Trump co-defendant Michael Roman alleged in courtroom filings final month Willis must be disqualified from the case, claiming she financially benefited from hiring Wade due to their private relationship.
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Wade took the stand earlier in the listening to. Craig Gillen, legal professional for Trump co-defendant David Shafer, who additionally requested the courtroom to disqualify Willis, questioned Wade earlier about Willis’ repayments to him for holidays that have been made in money.
The protection is making an attempt to show the existence and extent of any monetary profit to Willis from Wade from their relationship, which is the crux of their argument that Willis must be disqualified.
Wade stated he “doesn’t recall” journey with Willis in 2021, the time he was employed by the DA’s workplace, however does keep in mind touring along with her in 2022 and 2023. He testified that his relationship with Willis began in March 2022, and their journeys collectively started in 2022.
Wade testified that Willis paid him again for her half of their shared journeys.
Wade additionally testified that he was not paid by Fulton County as a lot because the protection claims. In 2022 particularly, Fulton County paid roughly $300,000 to his legislation agency. But Wade stated he obtained roughly $100,000 as a result of the funds have been dispersed among the many three individuals who labored on the agency, all of whom had contracts with the Fulton County DA’s workplace for varied causes.
Wade’s testimony contradicts earlier bombshell revelations from a former “good friend” of DA Willis who testified Thursday she has “no doubt” Willis and Wade had a “romantic” relationship beginning in 2019, contradicting Willis’ prior statements to the courtroom.
The courtroom adjourned round 5 p.m. Thursday, and Willis is anticipated again to proceed testimony Friday.
Fox News Digital’s Brianna Herlihy and Matteo Cina contributed to this report
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