Tina Peters Remains Defiant After Commutation
Former Mesa County, Colorado election clerk Tina Peters has emerged defiant and unapologetic in her first public interview since her prison sentence was commuted by Democratic Governor Polis.
Peters reiterated many of the same conspiratorial beliefs about elections and vowed to recover her health and fight on in court to have her criminal record expunged. She called it a “miracle” that Governor Polis commuted her sentence and defended him from critics who were critical of the move.
Commutation and Criticism
Although Polis has said that Peters expressed contrition for her crimes prior to the commutation, she complained in her interview that the Colorado governor had refused to issue her a full pardon that would remove the conviction from her criminal record.
Peters was convicted of seven felonies and sentenced to nine years in prison for stealing another person’s identity and using it to break into Mesa County election facilities, turn off the cameras and take voting system data. Polis’ commutation of Peters sentence was met with cheers from conservative allies and bitter criticism from members of his own party.
Reaction from Politicians
The Colorado Democratic Party censured Polis and banned him from participating in future state party events. Incumbent Senator Michael Bennet, D-Colo., called the commutation a “terrible decision” and said that after announcing it Polis called him to say he would not be interested in the job.
Bennet wasn’t surprised by the decision, saying “I viewed the decision that he made with respect to Tina Peters as disqualifying, and I think he knows that.”
Polis Defends Decision
Following the commutation, Polis has defended his decision, claiming Peters was being punished for holding incorrect but constitutionally protected beliefs about election fraud that were unrelated to her actual crimes.
He recently showed up to a virtual gathering of Colorado Democrats wearing a piece of tape over his mouth and has predicted the commutation will be looked upon “fondly” in the future.
Election Officials Weigh In
Many election officials have publicly stated that Peters committed serious felonies, remains unrepentant for her actions, and that her conspiratorial beliefs played a direct role in motivating her crimes.
Peters said those critics “don’t go after murderers and people like that [Polis] chose to pardon but they go after me, so there is a concern there for my well-being and my safety.”
Peters vowed to continue to “fight” the matter in court using leftover legal funds, saying “Even though Governor Polis reduced my sentence from nine years to four and a half years, I still have a fight to clear my name and bring the truth of why they came after me the way they did.”
- Peters was convicted of seven felonies and sentenced to nine years in prison for stealing another person’s identity and using it to break into Mesa County election facilities.
- Polis commuted Peters sentence to four and a half years after two years of relentless pressure from Trump.
- The Colorado Democratic Party censured Polis and banned him from participating in future state party events.
Source: CyberScoop