LANSING, MI – Republicans accused of fraudulent voting in the 2020 presidential election have signed a document declaring then-President Donald Trump the winner, conditional on his victory in the election, his lawyer announced.
Defense attorneys said Tuesday, April 23, in 54-A District Court in Lansing that the defendants had no “specific intent” to violate the law.
“Is there any possibility that Michigan flipped to President Trump?” the lawyer asked the investigator.
“Anything is possible,” said Howard Schock, a special agent with the state Department of Justice.
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Fifteen Republicans who signed the document face multiple felony charges. After five days of testimony over several months, preliminary hearings by Judge Kristen Simmons continue Wednesday.
Kathy Barden, 70, one of Michigan's three Republican National Committee delegates, and former Michigan Republican Party Co-Chair Meshawn Maddock, 55, will be joined by Michelle Lundgren, of Detroit. (73 years old) participated in the hearing along with John Haggard (82 years old) of Charlevoix. Marian Henry, 65, of Brighton, and Amy Facchinello, 55, of Grand Blanc.
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Other preliminary exams are scheduled for late May.
James Renner, 77, of Lansing, had charges dropped in exchange for his cooperation.
Investigator Schock spent hours answering questions from the defense about the investigation, the election process, the defendants' responsibilities and more. The defense contends that the group acted under the authority of national figures, including attorney Kenneth Chesebro, the alleged mastermind of the Trump fake voter conspiracy in Michigan and six other states.
The defendants in court were described by their lawyers as “volunteers” and “farmers” who were misunderstood by the people of Washington, D.C., and the Ingham County Prosecutor's Office and the U.S. Attorney's Office took the case before Michigan Attorney General Dana. claims to have refused. Mr. Nessel filed a complaint.
Related: 'An uphill battle': How Hawaii's election complicates litigation for Michigan's pro-Trump electors
Shock was also asked about the 1960 Hawaii presidential election, in which Republican Richard Nixon defeated Democrat John F. Kennedy by 141 votes. Two sets of electors signed the candidates' election certificates. The documents were sent to the federal government before a recount revealed Kennedy had won. The Governor of Hawaii then sent a new certificate signed by Elector Kennedy.
Shock said the investigation is continuing.
Lawyers also discussed limits on future testimony from Assistant Attorney General Aaron Van Langevelde, who was a Republican member of the state Board of Canvassers in 2020.
One of the lawyers said he wanted to know Van Langevelde's opinion of Trump. The judge said Van Langevelde could be questioned about how he formed his opinions on the case, but not about his personal views.
