Colorado Gov. Jared Polis on Tina Peters case: “You possibly can’t give the president the headspace on this”

Throughout his final 12 months in workplace, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis will make his remaining selections on which prisoners within the state he’ll grant clemency. Amongst these into account is Tina Peters, who was convicted of a number of felonies stemming from unauthorized accessing of voting machines, and who President Trump has repeatedly demanded be let loose. 

Peters, a former county clerk of Mesa County in western Colorado and former candidate for Colorado secretary of state, was sentenced in October 2024 to 9 years in jail after being convicted on seven of 10 state costs, together with three counts of making an attempt to affect a public servant and one depend of conspiracy to commit felony impersonation.

Polis beforehand refused to maneuver Peters to federal custody, however has additionally mentioned not too long ago that he could be trying into her case in his remaining 12 months. Mr. Trump mentioned in December he was granting a pardon to Peters, despite the fact that the president’s pardon energy is extensively understood to solely apply to federal crimes, and she or he was charged in state court docket.

“You possibly can’t give the president the headspace on this,” Polis advised “CBS Night Information” anchor Tony Dokoupil. “You have a look at each case on clemency on the deserves. You’ve any individual who’s nonviolent, a first-time offender, aged. Alternatively, does she take full accountability for her crime? We do not have a look at this in isolation.” 

Peters insisted, even throughout her sentencing, that she did nothing mistaken and was attempting to stop and uncover voter fraud. There was no proof of widespread voter fraud within the 2020 election, opposite to Mr. Trump’s repeated claims.

“I’ve dozens of those requests that we have a look at commonly, and I need to guarantee that we do not have a look at this one in any totally different means,” Polis mentioned, however famous he has not decided.

Polis mentioned he’ll solely make his resolution based mostly on the details of the case, “and there is some that work in her favor, some that work in opposition to her.”

Polis mentioned he has a tougher time with instances the place individuals have dedicated violent crimes.

“To let any individual out in some unspecified time in the future — have they made restitution? — is a troublesome resolution, however it’s one which I am by no means afraid to draw back from,” he mentioned.