Colorado appeals panel appears skeptical of Tina Peters' sentence
The Colorado Sun • • general
Key Points:
- A Colorado appeals panel expressed skepticism about using former county clerk Tina Peters' promotion of election conspiracy theories as a factor in her nine-year prison sentence for orchestrating a data breach of election equipment.
- The panel criticized the trial judge for referencing Peters' false election claims during sentencing, emphasizing that she cannot be punished for exercising her First Amendment rights.
- Peters, convicted in 2024 for state crimes related to a data breach driven by unfounded voting fraud claims, is serving her sentence in a state prison despite a presidential pardon from Donald Trump, which cannot override state convictions.
- Her legal team is appealing the sentence and seeking recognition of Trump's pardon, while also hoping for clemency from Colorado Governor Jared Polis, who has described the sentence as harsh
