Colorado court orders resentencing for former county clerk Tina Peters
AP News • • nation
Key Points:
- A Colorado appeals court ruled that former Mesa County clerk Tina Peters must be resentenced because a judge improperly punished her for statements protected under free speech, though her conviction for election-related crimes was upheld.
- Peters is serving a nine-year prison term for allowing an outside expert to copy election system data in 2021, actions tied to claims of 2020 election fraud that were later publicized online.
- The court rejected former President Donald Trump’s attempt to pardon Peters for her state crimes, stating presidential pardons do not apply to state offenses.
- Peters’ lawyers argued the ruling affirms free speech rights and may seek credit for time served at resentencing, potentially leading to her release.
- Colorado officials, including Governor Jared Polis and Attorney General Phil Weiser, emphasized the importance of a fair judicial process while condemning Peters’ actions as violations of her official duties and threats to democracy.
