LANSING, Mich — Attorneys for eight of the 16 Michigan Republicans accused in a fake elector scheme to keep former President Donald Trump in power asked a judge to adjourn a key hearing Thursday in Lansing.
John Haggard, Timothy King, James Renner, Mayra Rodriguez, Stanley Grot, Rose Rook, Kent Vanderwood, William Choate all appeared virtually in Lansing's 54 A District Court.
Their attorneys asked the judge to delay their preliminary exam which was planned for Thursday. The exam would determine if there was enough evidence to bind the defendants over for trial.
All of the eight defendants had their preliminary exam moved to either December or January.
The rest of the defendants, Kathy Berden, Amy Facchinello, Clifford Frost, Mari-Ann McQuater Henry, Michelle Lindgren, Meshawn Maddock, Kenneth Thompson and Marian Sheridan will have their preliminary exam on December 13 and 14.
Brian Lennon, attorney for Wyoming Mayor Kent Vanderwood, asked Judge Kristen Simmons if he could wait until after the December 13 and 14 hearing to get the transcripts before having Vanderwood's hearing and the judge denied his request.
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced criminal charges back in August against the 16 Republicans who investigators say met following the 2020 election and signed a document falsely stating they were Michigan's "duly elected and qualified electors" for president and vice president. Seven entered not-guilty pleas in previous court appearances.
Two of the suspects, Clifford Frost and Mari-Ann Henry, filed a motion to have their charges dismissed but were denied.
Investigators allege that the group of Republican electors met at party headquarters on Dec. 14, 2020, and falsely signed the fake electors document. The fake electors falsely asserted that they met in the state Capitol, which they were denied entry to by Michigan State Police.
All 16 defendants have pleaded not guilty.
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