Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens may have declared “victory” too soon.
On Monday, Judge Rex Burlison announced that he’ll appoint a special prosecutor to consider re-filing the blackmail charges against Greitens that were abruptly dropped by St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner last week, according to the Kansas City Star. The special prosecutor has not yet been named.
Greitens, a Republican, was accused of taking a nonconsensual nude photo of his then-lover and using it to blackmail her into silence about their relationship. Gardner dropped the case last Monday after Burlison agreed to allow the defense to call her as a witness to testify about alleged errors made by members of her team. Gardner said Burlison’s decision made it untenable for her to continue the prosecution.
In his ruling, Burlison prohibited Gardner “from any further involvement in this matter.”
In response, Greitens held an impromptu press conference on the courthouse steps, where he called himself a “changed man” and said he was ready to put the matter behind him. He has admitted to the affair but denied any criminal wrongdoing.
The embattled governor also faces a separate felony charge of computer tampering brought by Gardner’s office in April, as well as possible impeachment by the Missouri legislature.
Note to Greitens: Don’t start your victory lap, drinking champagne, or any other time honored winner activities until you have actually won something, jackass.
Note to Everyone Else: This goober hasn’t won a thing yet.
Judge Burlison has named the Special Prosecutor: Jean Peters Baker.
Baker is Jackson County Prosecutor. Jackson County is the second largest county in Missouri, in the Kansas City area and on the opposite side of the state from St. Louis, where the crime took place and where Gardner is located.
http://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article211599194.html
"In his order, [Burlison] noted that Baker’s office would serve as special prosecutor ‘with regard to the investigation and possible prosecution of Eric Greitens in alleged criminal activity in regard to an incident on March 21, 2015, and other incidents involving the same victim from that date through September 1, 2015.’
“It wasn’t clear whether additional charges beyond invasion of privacy are possible.”
“Baker has served as Jackson County prosecutor since 2011. She launched her career as an assistant prosecutor under U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., the only other woman to serve in the role.”
“Throughout her tenure as prosecutor, Baker has focused attention on aiding victims and on pre-emptive efforts to combat Kansas City’s startling violent crime rates. She helped launch the Kansas City No Violence Alliance — KC NoVA — which brought local, state and federal agencies together to work with communities in easing social dynamics that lead to crime.”
I think Greitens just f’ed himself. He got a Special Prosecutor who is a Democrat that had been thinking about running for Governor. A politically savvy, experienced prosecutor is not the type of person Greitens wants to face. Serves that f***er right.
“I’m a changed man. The next time I degrade and humiliate a woman, I’ll make sure she’s the kind who’s had a history of abuse and is groomed into being too scared to speak up.”
From the man he is accused of being?
That means, he’s guilty. That means, he should step down.