Former FBI Director Comey Set for October Trial Over Cryptic Instagram Post

Former FBI Director James Comey is headed to trial on October 21st, after U.S. District Judge Louise Flanagan set the date this week. The case stems from an Instagram photo Comey posted of seashells that federal prosecutors say crossed a legal line.

Before the trial gets underway, Comey will first be arraigned on September 30th at the federal courthouse in New Bern, North Carolina at 10 a.m.

Comey's legal team plans to fight hard to keep this case from ever reaching a jury. His attorneys say they will file multiple motions to dismiss, arguing the prosecution is vindictive and selective, among other challenges. Judge Flanagan noted that some of those motions may depend on evidence the government has not yet handed over.

The court has laid out a tight schedule heading into fall. Pretrial motions are due July 28th, with the government's responses due August 18th and any replies due no later than September 1st, meaning the judge could rule on dismissal before Comey even sets foot in a courtroom for arraignment. If the case survives those challenges, additional deadlines are set for October 2nd, 7th, and 14th, leading into the trial.