Scrolly
🚨🚨 ⚖️ 6pm EDT: Tina Peters Trial BEGINS! In comes the jury in #TinaPetersTrial! Livestream NOW at
#TinaPetersTrial: And we're off: District Court Judge Matthew Barrett explains process: Opening statements, evidence etc. Defendant not required to present or provide an opening statement. Then jury instructions (rules of law) as decided by the judge. Tina Peters is lower left. 
#TinaPetersTrial: The People of the State of Colorado v. Tina Marie Peters
District Court Judge Matthew David Barrett is presiding. He continues to explain the process to the jury, including if they have questions for witnesses. He's young and seems like a no-nonsense jurist. 
Judge granted each side 30 mins for Opening Statements. Mr. Shapiro begins for the prosecution: "There's an old statement, the coverup is worse than the crime... but this isn't. This is a case about a series of crimes designed by the defendant to cover them up."
#TinaPetersTrial
Tina Marie Peters had 3 duties: DMV, Recorder (Deeds) and ELECTIONS. The defendant violated her duties before during and after the election around the "trusted build" (software update) made by COLORADO company Dominion Voting Systems.
Shapiro: 
Defendant Tina Peters intentionally conspired a criminal plan & coverup. What this case is not about: Election computers, beliefs, allegations, conspiracies. It's a simple case of deceit and fraud. eople will prove there was a coverup, but let's start with the unraveling in 8/21.
#TinaPetersTrial: In 8/21, it began with Code Monkey Z (Ron Watkins) posting confidential passwords & info that was a breach of security. That led the SoS to issue an order commanding her staff to do and not do certain things on 8/9/21: 
#TinaPetersTrial: The Crimes As A Cover Up. Tina Peters 
Because of threats to election workers, COVID & security, the Colorado SoS DENIED Tina Peters' requests. #TinaPetersTrial 
#TinaPetersTrial They provided options for the public to witness, but Tina Peters didn't like that answer and began to plan her crimes. 
#TinaPetersTrial: Doug Frank, on the payroll of Mike Lindell, joined a meeting on 4/23/21 to coordinate the conspiracy. Douglas Frank was not cleared to be in an election security meeting. They recorded this meeting. Tina asked if voting machines could be opened, Frank said no. 
#TinaPetersTrial: Tina Peters asked if Doug Frank could do the "audit". He said no but I know the best team in the country. Tina asked 2 election staff to leave while they hatched their plan. Frank acknowledged Mike Lindell was paying him to travel the US & do this.
Tina Peters was given clear instructions: Only authorized people were permitted at the "trusted build" including background checks. Tina wanted to work with Doug Frank, Sheronna Bishop et al and needed a local contact. Gerald "Jerry" Wood with ZERO election experience was chosen. 
#TinaPetersTrial: She didn't want Gerry Wood, she stole his identity to curry favor with Mike Lindell, Douglas Frank and the others. Tina Peters deceived state official David Underwood by saying Gerry Wood was from the state, which was not true. The mens rea was to alter action.
#TinaPetersTrial: Then, Tina Peters had the cameras turned off 5/17-19/21 to protect the (fake) identity of the "cyber mercenary". She continued to lie to state officials about the identity to continue the ruse, the fraud. 
#TinaPetersTrial: The "Cyber Mercenary"? Conan Hayes, previously a pro surfer, was also working for Mike Lindell and Douglas Frank. State officials were introduced to Hayes deceptively -- they were told it was Gerald Wood. Criminal impersonation. 
Mesa County Deputy Clerk Belinda Knisley and Sandra Brown, who were in Tina Peters' office, will testify to explain what happened. 
Tina Peters will be found guilty of 10 counts, including criminal impersonation, identity theft, conspiracy, 
Despite having been caught with her hand in the cookie jar, and with crumbs on her hands, she still did not cooperate. Prosecution finished, defense is giving opening statement. 
#TinaPetersTrial: Defense: The facts and evidence won't support the charges as presented. "We don't expect y'all to come in as open slates, keep an open mind" (y'all) "Keep an open mind..."
And then the video cut out. Conspiracy! 😸 Good chance for a coffee refill. 
#TinaPetersTrial: And we're back. Defense: She'd only been in office 2.5 years. But she thought: she had to save those records! She believed she needed to save that data. You'll hear the meetings & timelines from 4-5/21 before the "trusted build".
#TinaPetersTrial: As permitted by law, Peters was allowed to engage a forensic auditor... Objection. Judge: Opening statements are not evidence... Defense interrupts... Judge: I will not be interrupted. 🔥 "Conan Hayes had worked for the gov't..." Objection! Sustained.
#TinaPetersTrial: Defense: Did Gerald Wood consent? Every time Conan Hayes was on site, he was accompanied by staff. In 2021, making a forensic image or releasing it was not a crime. And they haven't been charged with those crimes.
#TinaPetersTrial: Defense again brings up the "3 felony counts"... Objection! Judge: The nature of the counts is irrelevant". Gosh, who is this attorney? She hardly looks up from notes. Election deniers get the bottom of the barrel. Jury must be surprised. 
T#inaPetersTrial: Defense: Then she patronizes the jury by talking to them like kids: "Media isn't here for evidence, they are here to do their job. The judge is the referee...." "...Your duty is to find her not guilty." She explains "reasonable doubt" and evidence or lack. 
#TinaPetersTrial: Defense: You the jury, despite evidence & witnesses, it's critical, it's beautiful...YOU are the decision makers. You have the power, it's your sworn duty to seek out the truth. We submit you will find Clerk Peters not guilty.
#TinaPetersTrial: Defense: Within these 4 walls they want to paint her as a criminal. Facts don't match. And YOU decide what's true. With your oath comes extraordinary opportunity and responsibility. In our hearts and minds, we believe you will find Tina Marie Peters not guilty.
Jury excused for #TinaPetersTrial! 10am start 8/1.
Judge Barrett is pissed:
1. Ms. Jones, I'm extremely disturbed you made the identity of Conan Hayes known in Opening, it's hard to unring the bell
2. To sponsoring attorney, your job to make sure they know the rules...
Feed ends.
#TinaPetersTrial: Honestly, I think it was good the defense attorney was cut off, it was embarrassing. Objections in Openings are not good & made Judge Barrett mad, not a good start. At all. Prosecution laid out a straight forward case. Defense went with sparkles and rainbows.
If you enjoyed the coverage and want to lend support, here's how:
jillco just supported orly_licious on @buymeacoffee! 🎉 You can buy them a coffee here — buymeacoffee.com/lukejohnson2/c…
And it wouldn't be a #LukeCrew event without... Smoking Guns! It's early, but so far Tina Marie Peters had no Smoking Guns even close to these. And that's it for Day 1 of #TinaPetersTrial! Thank you for joining me, I'll post some of your comments soon. I love seeing them!
@threadreaderapp unroll
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try toforce a refresh
