Six additional Trump co-defendants talk 'potential plea deals': report

In addition to bail bondsman Scott Hall, ex-President Donald Trump lawyers Sidney Powell, Kenneth Chesebro, and Jenna Ellis, CNN exclusively reports that six more co-defendants criminally charged over their efforts to overturn the 2020 election alongside Trump "have discussed potential plea deals" with Fulton County prosecutors.

Robert James, an ex-Dekalb County attorney and expert on the case, according to CNN, said "this may be the beginning of a run of plea deals in Fulton County, as prosecutors aim to have defendants on board 'as witnesses as opposed to adversaries.'"

He said, "It makes the prosecutors case stronger because you have witnesses and direct evidence, but it also gives co-defendants certainty and a certain level of safety knowing that they aren't going to prison."

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Lawyer and Trump ally Robert Cheeley, who prosecutors also offered a plea deal, was offered a plea deal, and "three other defendants have also discussed a potential plea deal with Fulton County prosecutors but agreed not to name them after sources expressed concerns about speaking about the case at this phase."

CNN notes one person "familiar with the strategy" commented, "The first to squeal gets the deal."

However, Cheeley's attorney said, "To say that we are currently in discussions with the DA's office would be an inaccurate representation of what is going on. They made us an offer some time ago and we declined it."

Per the report, "A source with knowledge of the Fulton County DA's strategy tells CNN that it would be open to discussing plea deals with anyone, but there is little room for compromise when it comes to the charges against Trump."

READ MORE: 'Not a positive development': Why Jenna Ellis’ plea deal is bad news for Trump