MAGA Figure's Prison Assault Claim Challenged by Surveillance Footage
Tina Peters, the former Mesa County clerk who has become a cause célèbre for Donald Trump and his supporters, has alleged she was assaulted while serving her nine-year prison sentence for election interference charges. However, newly released surveillance footage appears to contradict her account of events, raising significant questions about what actually transpired within the correctional facility.
Conflicting Accounts of Prison Incident
According to a statement from Peters' spokesperson posted on social media, the alleged assault occurred on Sunday evening at La Vista Correctional Facility in Colorado. The representative claimed Peters was inside a maintenance closet filling a water unit when another inmate approached and began striking her in anger. The statement asserted that Peters raised her hands to push the inmate away and suffered minor injuries during the altercation.
The spokesperson further claimed that as a result of the incident, Peters was placed in solitary confinement and informed she would face additional felony assault charges. The social media post questioning whether a 70-year-old woman should face another felony for defending herself garnered over one million views.
Surveillance Footage Tells Different Story
Surveillance footage obtained by multiple news outlets including CBS News and 9News presents a markedly different version of events. The video shows Peters pulling a cart through a doorway before another inmate approaches and grabs the opposite side of the cart. After the door partially obscures her briefly, Peters emerges from the doorway and appears to wrap her hands around the inmate's neck.
The footage continues to show Peters seemingly saying something to the inmate before pushing her away. This visual evidence directly challenges the narrative presented by Peters' representatives regarding who initiated physical contact during the encounter.
Official Response and Investigation
The Colorado Department of Corrections has disputed key elements of Peters' team's account. A department spokesperson confirmed to KDVR that no one suffered injuries during the incident, which remains under investigation. Contrary to claims of solitary confinement, the spokesperson told 9News that Peters was moved to a different housing area following the altercation.
The department explicitly stated that La Vista Correctional Facility does not utilize solitary confinement, directly contradicting the claims made by Peters' representatives about her current conditions.
Background of Controversial Figure
Tina Peters has become a focal point for Donald Trump and MAGA supporters following her conviction on election-related charges. The former county clerk oversaw elections in Mesa County from 2018 to 2023 before facing investigation in 2021 after sensitive voting records surfaced online.
Prosecutors successfully argued that Peters granted unauthorized access to voting equipment during a software update to an individual connected to Mike Lindell, the MyPillow CEO known for promoting 2020 election fraud claims. In 2024, a jury found Peters guilty of ten criminal charges including:
- First-degree official misconduct
- Failure to comply with secretary of state requirements
- Multiple counts related to election tampering
Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser emphasized the significance of the verdict at the time, stating it served as a warning to others who might attempt to illegally tamper with voting processes or election systems.
Political Dimensions and Clemency Considerations
Donald Trump has repeatedly called for Peters' release, describing her as a victim of political persecution. In December, Trump attempted to pardon Peters, though the action held no legal weight since she faced state rather than federal charges. The former president has continued to post about Peters on his Truth Social platform, most recently on New Year's Eve when he characterized her imprisonment as punishment for trying to stop alleged voter fraud.
Colorado Governor Jared Polis, a Democrat, has described Peters' nine-year sentence as harsh and confirmed he is evaluating her case for potential clemency. However, Polis has made clear he will not automatically comply with Trump's demands, telling CBS News last week that each clemency case must be evaluated on its merits.
The governor noted several factors under consideration, including Peters' age, nonviolent status, and first-time offender status, balanced against whether she has taken full accountability for her crimes. Polis emphasized that such decisions cannot be made in isolation from the broader context of the offenses committed.
Previous Physical Altercations and Judicial Commentary
This is not the first time Peters has been involved in a physical altercation captured on camera. Video from 2022 appears to show her kicking a police officer during an attempted arrest, adding context to her history of confrontational behavior.
During her 2024 sentencing hearing, Judge Matthew Barrett delivered scathing remarks about Peters' conduct and lack of remorse. The judge explicitly stated that Peters was no hero but rather someone who abused her position of public trust. Barrett characterized her actions as peddling proven falsehoods about election integrity while violating the very systems she was sworn to protect.
The current prison incident and conflicting accounts further complicate an already controversial case that continues to resonate through American political discourse about election integrity, accountability, and the appropriate consequences for those who violate public trust in electoral systems.
