In a surprise move Thursday, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis volunteered to testify at an Atlanta hearing concerning her relationship with special prosecutor Nathan Wade, appearing to catch the defense attorneys off-guard.

Willis entered the courtroom as defense attorney Craig Gillen was urging Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee to bring Willis before them.

We need her in here to go over all of this and to explain exactly what happened, Gillen said, not noticing that Willis had already entered the room. We ask the court that they allow Ms. Willis to be called and interrogated on these matters.

And I would, too, your honor, Willis responded.

OK, so the position of the district attorney at this point is shes no longer contesting the subpoena, McAfee noted as Willis walked to the witness stand.

After a brief recess, an emotional Willis proceed to lash out at defense attorney Ashleigh Merchant about her prior lines of questioning.

I think you implied that I slept with [Wade] at that conference, which I find to be extremely offensive, she said, referring to the conference where she and Wade first met.

And you started dating shortly thereafter? Merchant asked.

Willis fired back: A lie. Thats one of your lies.

Its highly offensive when someone lies and says you slept with someone the first day you met them, and I take exception, she said.

Accused of acting like a hostile witness, Willis said, I very much want to be here, so I am not a hostile witness. She added that Merchants interests are contrary to democracy.