In a bid to shake off charges of election interference, Georgia State Sen. Shawn Still's legal team is pushing for dismissal in a case that has ensnared him and several others with ties to former President Donald Trump. Still is facing scrutiny for his role in casting an electoral college vote for Trump in December 2020, which prosecutors argue was an illegal act, as reported by FOX 5 Atlanta.
Despite his absence from Wednesday's hearing, Still's attorneys argued that their client did nothing wrong when he joined what are now being referred to as "false electors." The defense claims Still and others were acting on advice that their actions were necessary in the event the state's election results were overturned, thereby ensuring Trump's electoral votes from Georgia would count. "I must say, I’ve never seen a fraud perpetrated wide open, in front of the public, with a court reporter present, with a videographer present, the media present in broad daylight in front of 15 other people," attorney Tom Bever argued, according to WSBTV.
Still is fighting multiple charges that include impersonating a public officer and forgery, among other felonies. His attorneys have petitioned for the dismissal of these charges, disputing their validity. Illustrating their point, defense counsel likened the environment of the vote to a public act, not a clandestine racketeering effort. For his part, prosecutor Donald Wakeford maintained, "He was holding himself out as a presidential elector. It’s a discreet term, which he undoubtedly was not at the time," which he stated during the hearing and was noted by FOX 5 Atlanta.
The case spins a complex web with only three of the 16 GOP electors charged thus far: Still, former state GOP chair David Shafer, and former Coffee County GOP Chair Cathleen Latham. The hearing took a turn as the prosecution claimed the meeting was not a standalone event, but "part of a much larger conspiracy to overturn the popular vote in Georgia." Echoing this sentiment, prosecutor Will Wooten told WSBTV, "There is a presumption that every person, including Shawn Still, knows what the law is, and not knowing what you did was illegal is not a defense to what you did."
Still, who aside from his political role is also a proprietor of a swimming pool contractor business, remains a state senator. Following his indictment, a panel appointed by Gov. Kemp opted not to recommend his removal from office. The judge presiding over the hearing had not made a final ruling as of Wednesday, leaving Still's political and personal fate hanging in the balance.
