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The second day of witness examination and the presentation of evidence concluded Friday, with the government calling several witnesses. Peters maintains that her actions were part of her official duties, while the state and local authorities claim she broke the law. Catch up on yesterday's events Thursday here and Friday updates below.
Catch up below, and we'll be back on Monday!
Updates will resume Monday Morning at 9AM!
4:30PM: After the jury leaves, Court denies Mr. Case's service of Mr. Wood. He is currently not under subpoena. Court is adjourned.
4:26PM: Prosecution finishes playing the video and dismisses the jury to resume Monday at 9AM MT.
4:13PM: The prosecution is now playing the recording of the meeting taken by the witness, Stephanie Wenholz. Video is Doug Frank talking about inflated voter rolls with Ms. Wenholz.
4:10PM: Dr. Frank came into the office and spoke to election staff in Tina's office on the afternoon of April 23, 2021. The witness testified that staff were called into the meeting one by one. Tina Peters, Sherronna Bishop, Brandi Bantz, and Belinda Knisley was also present during the meeting. The witness identified Tina Peters as Tina Peters for the record. Witness expected the presentation and meeting to be about "phantom voters," and she did attend, but only for the last 10 minutes of the meeting. She created a recording, and counsel is now conferring on the exhibit.
4:03PM: Former Mesa County Elections Manager Stephanie Wenholz is sworn in by the court. Direct examination underway.
4:00PM: During cross examination, Gerald Wood testified that he received immunity for his testimony. He was also shown communications with Tina Peters and members of her team with his phone number. These communications took place during the time period that he claimed he had no communication with them. He failed to authenticate them, but they will likely be authenticated through Defense witnesses. After his testimony, Mr. Case attempted to serve Mr. Wood with a Defense subpoena, which he ignored before leaving the courtroom. Counsel called Stephanie Wenholz, former Mesa County Elections Manager, for direct. Counsel called to sidebar while Ms. Wenholz takes the stand.
3:19PM: Cross examination of Gerald Wood. Defense asking about his role in a Signal group with the defendant, and counsel is now at a sidebar to discuss admissibility.
3:00PM: We are back on the record for the cross examination of Gerald Wood.
Mid afternoon break
2:27PM: Prosecution passes the witness to Mr. Case, Defense counsel. Counsel approaches for sidebar.
2:26PM: Gerald Wood testified on direct examination that he went through the background check process and was credentialed with a badge for Mesa County. He testified that the Deputy Clerk retained his badge, he did not keep it. He was not present at the Trusted Build. He traveled to the Cyber Symposium in August 2021 of his own accord, and he returned home via Mike Lindell's plane, one day early, after learning that his home had been raided back in Mesa County. He testified that he did not give permission to Tina Peters, Belinda Knisley, or anyone else to use his identity for someone else. He has no recollection of meeting Conan Hays. This is critical testimony for the People's "identity theft" charge.
1:23PM: Back on the record, and Gerald Wood is on the stand under direct examination by the prosecution.
Updates will resume at 1:15PM when court returns.
11:50AM: Court breaks for lunch.
11:49AM: Do all hires have to go through HR?" Yes. A Director and Elected Official cannot hire anyone without going through HR."
11:48AM: Questions from the jury. Sidebar consultation.
11:47AM: Cross examination by the Defense, Ms. Jones. Moore is now the HR Director of Colorado Mesa University. Moore never met Wood, never talked to him. Moore issued the badge, confirmed that he wasn't an employee, and sent an email that he would be coming in for his badge. This was not unprecedented. It happened "a few times." "Did you ever meet or talk to Conan Hays?" "No." On redirect, Conan Hays was also never an employee.
11:40AM: Moore is testifying that she created the County access badge for Gerald Wood, and that the requested access was a high level of access. Access made sense because of the specialized equipment. Wood was never an employee of Mesa County.
11:35AM: Jordan is excused. Brenda Moore, former Mesa County Human Resources Director sworn in and undergoing direct.
11:30AM: After redirect, a side bar. Questions from the jury.
11:25AM: After a brief recess during cross, the Defense finished up cross of Brandi Bantz. Direct examination of Mesa County IT Operations Manager Lahna Jordan was brief, and cross examination is now underway by the Defense. The witness has testified that County IT does not the experience to observe elections, and she declined Clerk Peters' requests for resources to support the Trusted Build. Jordan also testified that all technical expertise over voting systems is with the vendor, which is Dominion Voting Systems. "We have never supported that equipment. It's always been completely separate from Mesa County IT."
10:00AM: Brandi Bantz completed direct, having testified to the process and her personal knowledge to the circumstances surrounding the Trusted Build, and its lead up and aftermath. On cross, the Court denied the Defense's attempts to explore the topic of Mesa County canvassing. Ms. Brantz continues cross-examination by John Case, attorney for Tina Peters.
9:00AM: Former Mesa County Elections Director Brandi Bantz is sworn in, currently under direct examination by the Prosecution.
Live updates will resume when court is in session.
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