Arizona Court Wraps Up “Fake Electors” Case Hearing
Prosecutors argue the charges are not politically motivated and are not protected speech.
PHOENIX — After 13 hours of arguments over three days, a court hearing in the so-called “Fake Electors” case wrapped up on Wednesday. The decision over whether to dismiss the charges against at least a dozen defendants in Maricopa County will soon be in the hands of Superior Court Judge Bruce Cohen.
Sixteen people are facing nine felonies each, including forgery, fraud, and conspiracy, accused in an organized attempt to overturn the 2020 presidential race in Arizona.
Defense attorneys spent Monday and Tuesday in court arguing that the charges are politically motivated, claiming the alleged actions were political speech. However, Arizona Attorney General Criminal Division Chief Nick Klingerman argued that the case crossed the line from protected speech to fraud.
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes issued a statement saying the prosecution was not politically motivated and the allegations were not an expression of the defendants’ First Amendment rights. Mayes emphasized the importance of distinguishing between free expression and illegal conduct.
Throughout the three-day hearing, Cohen heard arguments on two motions to dismiss the charges and a motion by Mayes for an order protecting the identities of the grand jurors. Cohen will take the motions under advisement starting September 9.
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