By Brian Porter | Rocky Mountain Voice
Viewed as a patriot by many on the right concerned with election security and integrity, former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters was convicted Monday on numerous counts related to a breakdown of her county’s election computer system in 2020.
Peters was convicted of three counts of attempting to influence a public servant, one count of conspiracy to commit criminal impersonation, first-degree official misconduct, violation of duty and failing to comply with the secretary of state.
Central to the case, Peters faced accusations she had used another person’s security badge and her position to provide access to an expert related to MyPillow’s Mike Lindell to the election system. Lindell also had questioned the validity of election results nationally.
A jury found Peters not guilty of charges of conspiracy to commit criminal impersonation, criminal impersonation, and identity theft.
The verdict came at about 5:15 p.m. Monday.
Peters’ defense centered upon the county clerk had not committed a crime and her efforts were toward preserving election records.
“And thank God she did,” defense attorney John Case said during the trial and as reported by the Associated Press. “Otherwise we really wouldn’t know what happened.”
At the heart of the case was Conan Hayes and Gerald Wood. Peters allowed Hayes, who was connected with Lindell, to observe a software update and make copies of a hard drive, the state claimed. He used the security badge of Wood, who worked for Peters and Mesa County.
District Judge Matthew Barrett drew criticism for restricting nearly all of Peters’ witnesses and defense.
Peters, a Gold Star mother, was directed by Barrett to report to the probation office by noon Tuesday.