Education
Education

Judge: APS trial could last six months

By
Nov 5, 2013

The judge overseeing the massive Atlanta Public Schools racketeering case on Tuesday estimated the trial next year could last as long as six months.

“As far as I’m concerned we’re on schedule,” Fulton County Superior Court Judge Jerry Baxter said at the outset of a pretrial hearing.

Baxter then said lawyers representing the 34 defendants need to clear their calendars for six months beginning May 5, when the trial is scheduled to begin.

“I’d rather herd the cats now rather than later,” Baxter said, referring to all the attorneys in the case. “I need to have that done.”

Baxter then asked Fani Willis, the lead prosecutor in the case, whether the trial could last up to a year if the state calls as many as 400 witnesses. But Willis said she thought a half year would be enough time.

About the Author

Bill Rankin has been an AJC reporter for more than 30 years. His father, Jim Rankin, worked as an editor for the newspaper for 26 years, retiring in 1986. Bill has primarily covered the state’s court system, doing all he can do to keep the scales of justice on an even keel. Since 2015, he has been the host of the newspaper’s Breakdown podcast.

Follow Bill Rankin on twitter
More Stories

Keep Reading

Children who participated in the city of South Fulton's summer camp last year received backpacks containing school supplies. (Courtesy of Councilwoman Helen Willis)

Credit: Courtesy of Councilwoman Helen Willis

Where to go for free back-to-school supplies in metro Atlanta

Metro Atlanta parents can find free backpacks, supplies and more at these back-to-school events in July and August.

Cobb school board won’t livestream public speakers anymore

Public comment will still be open to in-person attendees.

Morehouse College alum detained by ICE in Texas

Alex Maganda, a former Morehouse football player, came to the U.S. from Mexico at 5 years old, his attorney said. A hearing on his case is expected within the next two weeks.

The Latest

Children who participated in the city of South Fulton's summer camp last year received backpacks containing school supplies. (Courtesy of Councilwoman Helen Willis)

Credit: Courtesy of Councilwoman Helen Willis

Where to go for free back-to-school supplies in metro Atlanta

Cobb school board won’t livestream public speakers anymore

Morehouse College alum detained by ICE in Texas

Featured

“Our members cannot be bought off,” General President Sean O’Brien said in a social media statement, calling UPS' offers “illegal and haphazard.” (Hyosub Shin/AJC 2023)

Credit: Hyosub Shin/AJC

UPS offers unprecedented buyouts for drivers

The Teamsters union, which represents about 340,000 UPS employees, is urging its full-time members to reject the offers.

Longtime south Atlanta flea market set for massive mixed-use makeover

The developer is planning one of the largest projects in Atlanta’s Southside, a more than $500 million project near Greenbriar Mall.

MARTA chief Collie Greenwood retiring early

MARTA CEO and General Manager Collie Greenwood is leaving “because of immigration and personal matters” and has elected early retirement.