A judge granted Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis’ request to restrict identifying information about jurors in the Georgia election interference case, a new court filing shows.
In a two-page order Monday, Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee placed strict restrictions on the identities of jurors involved in a trial in the case against former President Donald Trump and 18 co-defendants.
The court’s rules restrict the use of photographic or electronic devices without the judge’s consent. McAfee’s order provides additional protection by prohibiting drawing in an identifiable manner or otherwise recording images, statements or conversations of jurors or prospective jurors.
He also ordered that jurors and prospective jurors be identified in court records only by their numbers during the ongoing trial and prohibited the disclosure of juror information that would reveal their identity, including names, addresses, telephone numbers or identifying employment information.
McAfee allowed exceptions for audio recording the jury foreman’s verdict or questions to the judge.
The order applies to the trial of Kenneth Chesebro and Sidney Powell, whose joint trial is scheduled to begin Oct. 23, as well as a subsequent trial of the 17 other defendants, including Trump.
Willis’ office and the attorney for a group of media interveners who opposed her request agreed to the order, Monday’s filing notes.
The media coalition, which included The Associated Press, CBS News and The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, had called for a more limited order, arguing that Willis’ request would limit the ability of news organizations to meaningfully report on jury selection.
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A lawyer for the media coalition declined to comment on the order.
Willis this month asked that jurors’ names and likenesses be kept secret during an upcoming trial. In her filing, Willis asked McAfee to issue an order that would prevent courtroom cameras from showing jurors and written descriptions of jurors from being released.
Willis said it was “clearly foreseeable” that jurors would be doxxed if their names were made public, adding that doxxing would jeopardize jurors’ ability to make impartial decisions without outside influence, “both in physical terms.” “The defendants’ constitutional right to a fair and impartial jury.”
Trump supporters posted on a fringe website the alleged names and addresses of the grand jurors involved in the indictment filed last month. The indictment listed the names of the grand jury members, but did not list their addresses or other personal information, in accordance with state law.
Charlie Gile contributed.
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