One of the defendants in the trial of former US President Donald Trump should remain behind bars. Harrison Floyd told the judge he could not afford an attorney and could not be granted bail.
Trump is on trial in Georgia with eighteen other defendants on charges of election fraud, among other things. Floyd allegedly helped an election worker falsely confess to voter fraud.
The judge said Floyd could hire a lawyer or represent herself. But according to Floyd, the cost of hiring a lawyer and flying him to Georgia ranges from $37,000 to $93,000. He says he does not have that money.
He told the judge, “I can’t afford a lawyer for something like this.” He added that he did not want to burden his family with debt. Floyd insisted it was not dangerous to fly.
It is not clear why Floyd cannot obtain a public defender. In general, defendants must meet certain financial requirements to be eligible.
Floyd is currently in the Fulton County Jail in Atlanta. This prison is under investigation by the US Department of Justice for poor living conditions.
Trump and seventeen other people have posted their bail and are therefore not behind bars.