Breakdown Podcast
Breakdown Podcast

‘Breakdown’ S10 Episode 14: ‘Copping a Plea’

Four plea deals in quick succession in the Georgia election-interference case. The AJC’s ‘Breakdown’ podcast asks how valuable the defendants’ cooperation will be and whether more deals are to come.
Jenna Ellis got emotional as she pleaded guilty to a felony count of aiding and abetting false statements and writings on Tuesday, as part of a plea deal with Fulton County prosecutors. The latest episode of "Breakdown — The Trump Indictment" looks at how the four plea deals taken so far will shape the Georgia election-interference case. (John Basemore / Pool)

Credit: John Bazemore

Credit: John Bazemore

Jenna Ellis got emotional as she pleaded guilty to a felony count of aiding and abetting false statements and writings on Tuesday, as part of a plea deal with Fulton County prosecutors. The latest episode of "Breakdown — The Trump Indictment" looks at how the four plea deals taken so far will shape the Georgia election-interference case. (John Basemore / Pool)
Oct 25, 2023

This Breakdown episode covers the guilty plea hearings of lawyers Kenneth Chesebro and Jenna Ellis, both of whom were charged with former President Donald Trump in the election interference case.

Chesebro entered his guilty plea — to a felony — the day after co-defendant Sidney Powell struck her plea deal with Fulton County prosecutors. Four days later, attorney Jenna Ellis entered her own guilty plea, also to a felony.

“Copping a Plea” of Breakdown’s Season 10 — “The Trump Indictment” — by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution also examines the implications of these deals, in which the defendants have agreed to cooperate with prosecutors.

You can download the Breakdown podcast from Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts or your favorite podcasting platform. You can also stream it above.

ExploreListen to previous seasons of the AJC's 'Breakdown' podcast
More Stories

Keep Reading

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis speaks at a press conference at Fulton County Government Center in Atlanta on Monday, Aug. 14, 2023, following the indictment in an election interference case against former President Donald Trump and others. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Credit: Arvin Temkar/AJC

What happens next to the Trump election interference case in Georgia?

With Fulton County DA Fani Willis and her office disqualified, the executive director of the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council of Georgia will have a big decision to make.

19m ago

Ex-DeKalb officer reindicted in 2022 shooting death in prosecutor’s redo

The DeKalb DA’s office reindicted ex-officer Russell Mathis in a fatal 2022 shooting after dismissing earlier charges to avoid a legal technicality.

19m ago

Ex-prosecutor in Trump case sues AT&T for handing cell records to defendants

Former Trump prosecutor Nathan Wade sues AT&T for releasing cellphone records used to oust him from Georgia election interference probe.

The Latest

Former DA Jackie Johnson testifies on her own behalf earlier this month during her trial over a charge of violating her oath of office during the investigation of Ahmaud Arbery’s murder. (Terry Dickson/AP pool)

Credit: Terry Dickson

‘Breakdown’ S08, Ep20: Jackie Johnson goes to trial

LISTEN: ‘The Trump Indictment’ podcast — ‘Goodbye for Now’

LISTEN: ‘The Trump Indictment’ podcast — ‘Hello, 2025?’

Featured

Fulton DA Fani Willis (center) with Nathan J. Wade (right), the special prosecutor she hired to manage the Trump case and had a romantic relationship with, at a news conference announcing charges against President-elect Donald Trump and others in Atlanta, Aug. 14, 2023. Georgia’s Supreme Court on Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025, upheld an appeals court's decision to disqualify Willis from the election interference case against Trump and his allies. (Kenny Holston/New York Times)

Credit: NYT

Fani Willis loses last chance to stay at the helm of Trump Georgia election interference case

Georgia's top court declines to hear Fani Willis appeal in Trump case, meaning she can no longer pursue the election interference case.

Investigator: Ex-APD officer raped woman on duty, returned when she called 911

Fulton County Magistrate Judge Todd Ashley ruled there was enough evidence for the case to proceed against former officer Muhammad Muhammad.

Cobb County agency green lights tax break for Home Depot’s $140M project

The Development Authority of Cobb County voted 6-0 to give initial approval for Home Depot's request Tuesday but didn't disclose the property tax savings the company sought.