(C) Daily Kos This story was originally published by Daily Kos and is unaltered. . . . . . . . . . . When Election Deniers 'take the Law into their own hands' -- The Law needs to ensure Consequences [1] ['This Content Is Not Subject To Review Daily Kos Staff Prior To Publication.'] Date: 2024-10-03 — — Let this serve as a warning to other election officials of the MAGA persuasion. I hope the Judge’s sentencing/warning becomes well-worn viral Meme. Refusing to certify our elections, or otherwise obstructing them — is not a game. In fact it’s a serious crime , that may land you directly behind bars. Even if you think the law does not apply to you — as this former County Clerk apparently thought ... Former Mesa County clerk Tina Peters sentenced to 9 years behind bars for voting data scheme www.denver7.com — Oct 3, 2024 [...] Colorado District Judge Matthew Barrett handed down the sentence Thursday after a jury found Tina Peters guilty of most charges against her in August. Describing her as a "charlatan" who was still using her prior position in office "to peddle a snake oil that's been proven to be junk time and time again," Judge Barrett sentenced Peters to 8 and-a-half years in the Colorado Department of Corrections plus 120 days in Mesa County Jail, followed by 3 years of parole. In handing down the sentence, Judge Barrett argued it was the position she held as county clerk — "the pulpit from which she can preach these lies... the undermining of our democratic process, the undermining of the belief and confidence in our elections systems" — that made her such a danger to the community. "Your lies are well documented and these convictions are serious," he said, after Peters made her final plea in court. "I'm convinced you would do it all over again if you could." [...] Here’s more of the Judge’s sentencing statement here: 'You're a charlatan': Judge sentences defiant Tina Peters to 9 years | Full video www.denver7.com — Oct 3, 2024 [...] “You are no hero. You abused your position — and you’re a charlatan who used, and is still using your prior position to peddle a snake oil that’s been proven to be junk time and time again,” said Judge Barrett. “Your lies are well-documented and these convictions are serious. I’m convinced you’d do it all over again if you could.”Judge Barrett added: “You’re as defiant as a defendant as this court has ever seen.” Peters, who was indicted in March 2022, was accused of copying hard drive images of election software in 2021, which ended up online and being discussed by Peters and others. Before sentencing, Peters remained unapologetic. [...] Indeed, the defendant even put on some sort of presentation, repeating the false claims, as part of her defense. As explained in this local news coverage, below. Defiant to the end. — Judge sentences Tina Peters to 9 years behind bars Here’s a similar news report — but shorter. — — People entrusted to make our democracy work — must not appoint themselves “Obstructionists and Deciders,” over that very same democratic process. Wild and free-wheeling conspiracies must have no place — in our free and fair democracy. In a free society, every registered vote should count. County Clerks must not disrupt those free and fair elections — just so that their own preferred Candidate wins. If they do — the consequences can be dire — as Tina Peters just found out. This should serve as a warning to other “Election Deniers” in official positions, considering similar obstruction in the upcoming election. Nine years in prison is what they are messing around with — when they mess around with our Elections. Take heed, scofflaws. Or find out, the hard way. — — CREW has some Recommendations for Protecting the 2024 Election “State laws make clear that certification is non-discretionary. It is not an opportunity for county officials to politically grandstand…” Browse the state-by-state analysis. Brennan Center for Justice — — [END] --- [1] Url: https://www.dailykos.com/story/2024/10/3/2274629/-When-Election-Deniers-take-the-Law-into-their-own-hands-The-Law-needs-to-ensure-Consequences Published and (C) by Daily Kos Content appears here under this condition or license: Site content may be used for any purpose without permission unless otherwise specified. via Magical.Fish Gopher News Feeds: gopher://magical.fish/1/feeds/news/dailykos/