ARIZONA NEWS

Grand jury wanted to indict Trump in Arizona fake electors case, prosecutors advised against it

Aug 7, 2024, 2:10 PM

FILE - Republican presidential candidate, former President Donald Trump, speaks at a campaign rally...

FILE - Republican presidential candidate, former President Donald Trump, speaks at a campaign rally, June 6, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File)

(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File)

The Arizona grand jury that indicted 18 Republican supporters of Donald Trump who falsely claimed he won the state in the 2020 election wanted to consider also charging the former president, but prosecutors urged them not to, according to court documents filed this week.

The court records filed by the Arizona attorney general’s office contain exchanges between prosecutors and the grand jurors, who heard 18 days’ of testimony.

As grand jurors were considering possible charges, a prosecutor asked them not to indict Trump, citing a U.S. Justice Department policy that limits the prosecution of someone for the same crime twice. The prosecutor, who isn’t identified in the records, also didn’t know whether authorities had all the evidence they would need to charge Trump at that time.

Ultimately, the grand jury indicted 18 people on forgery, fraud and conspiracy charges, including the 11 Republicans who submitted a document falsely claiming Trump had won Arizona, five lawyers connected to the former president and two former Trump aides.

Although Trump wasn’t charged in the Arizona case, the indictment refers to him as an “unindicted coconspirator.” The former president is charged in a federal case brought by special counsel Jack Smith with plotting to overturn the 2020 presidential election.

Earlier this week, attorney Jenna Ellis signed an agreement with Arizona prosecutors who will dismiss charges against her in exchange for her cooperation. She pleaded guilty in Georgia last year to a felony charge over efforts to overturn Trump’s 2020 election loss in that state.

Also, Republican activist Loraine Pellegrino, who signed the document falsely claiming Trump had won Arizona, became the first person to be convicted in the state’s fake elector case. Prosecutors say she pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of filing a false document.

The remaining defendants have pleaded not guilty.

President Joe Biden won Arizona by 10,457 votes.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona News

The Arizona Constitution currently provides legislative immunity for traffic violations....

Kevin Stone

Arizona Republican wants lawmakers to follow same traffic laws as everyone else

An Arizona lawmaker introduced a resolution that would refer a constitutional amendment ending legislative immunity for traffic violations to the ballot.

41 minutes ago

Officials: WM Phoenix Open 2025 more peaceful than last year...

Serena O'Sullivan

This year’s WM Phoenix Open upgrades made event smoother, more respectful, organizers say

Event organizers put in place a variety of changes during the WM Phoenix Open 2025 after weather conditions and crowd issues last year.

2 hours ago

Detectives are looking for the suspect in a fatal shooting at a Phoenix apartment complex....

Kevin Stone

Police seek suspect after fatal shooting at west Phoenix apartment complex

Detectives are trying to find a suspect after a fatal shooting over the weekend at a west Phoenix apartment complex.

3 hours ago

A man was stabbed to death near the Arizona Capitol complex in Phoenix over the weekend....

Kevin Stone

Man stabbed to death at bus stop near Arizona Capitol in Phoenix

A man was stabbed to death near the Arizona Capitol complex in Phoenix over the weekend, authorities said.

4 hours ago

Phoenix forecast rain...

Kevin Stone

Phoenix could see its heaviest rainfall in months later this week

The metro Phoenix forecast calls for a warm start to the week followed by a quick cooldown, with a good chance for the heaviest rainfall in months.

4 hours ago

Integrated Biometrics Chandler Arizona 2025...

Serena O'Sullivan

Integrated Biometrics expanding its Chandler research facility

Companies curious about incorporating biometrics into their workflows can now visit a Chandler research facility to test new technologies through interactive exhibits.

7 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

...

Collins Comfort Masters

Collins Comfort Masters: Your go-to plumbing experts in Arizona

Collins Comfort Masters, a trusted name in HVAC, water and plumbing since 1985, is you go-to plumbers for the residents of Phoenix and the Valley.

...

Bright Wealth Management

How IRAs are a helpful tool in retirement planning

When it comes to retirement planning, individual retirement accounts (IRAs) can be a great tool for income growth.

...

Day & Night Air Conditioning, Heating and Plumbing

Why a Heating Tune-Up is Essential Before Winter

PHOENIX, AZ — With cooler weather on the horizon, making sure your heating system is prepped and ready can make all the difference in staying comfortable this winter.

Grand jury wanted to indict Trump in Arizona fake electors case, prosecutors advised against it