Republicans are trying to remove a Black prosecutor because she refuses to do their bidding, perpetuating people’s locking up for minor offenses and feeding the prison industrial complex.
Their problem with Ms. Gardner is that she dared to indict their criminal Governor Eric Greitens in 2018.
Be reminded that it is up to a judge to determine bail, not the prosecutor. So it matters little whether a prosecutor asks that an accused be allowed out on bail; the decision rests solely with the judge. But again, this is a red herring by the lying, bullying, racist Republicans who are mad that a black woman holds a position of power.
Kim Gardner is an outspoken advocate for police reform. That is the reason they want her removed.
On Thursday, Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey filed a legal motion to remove St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner from office. The action comes after a chorus of elected officials called on Gardner to resign after a driver who repeatedly violated his bond allegedly injured a 16-year-old volleyball player from Tennessee, resulting in both of her legs being amputated. Bailey, a Republican, and others have accused Gardner, a Democrat, of neglecting her duties because the driver had violated his bond. Gardner, in response, has accused the judge in the driver’s case of denying prosecutors’ requests for a higher bond.
Bailey’s motion, which accuses Gardner of neglect, represents the latest battle over Gardner’s handling of the office. Gardner, the first Black woman to be elected as St. Louis’ top prosecutor, has repeatedly clashed with Republican lawmakers in Jefferson City during her tenure. While lawmakers of both parties have criticized Gardner’s handling of the case, some view Bailey’s motion as another example of Republicans targeting a progressive, Black official.
Here’s what you need to know about Bailey’s action against Gardner.
WHO IS KIM GARDNER?
Kim Gardner, an outspoken advocate for police reform, was elected as St. Louis’ top prosecutor in 2016. She won reelection to a second term in 2020. During her time in office, Gardner has repeatedly faced backlash from Republicans over how she’s run the office. Much of that criticism stems from Gardner’s prosecution of former Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens in 2018.
Last year, Gardner was reprimanded by the Missouri Supreme Court for her handling of the invasion of privacy case against Greitens. As part of an agreement with the court, she admitted to failing to disclose evidence — handwritten notes — to attorneys representing Greitens. Greitens was indicted for felony invasion of privacy in the 2018 case, but Gardner dropped the case a day before it was set to go to trial. She agreed to drop an additional computer tampering charge against Greitens as part of an agreement that coincided with Greitens’ voluntary resignation from office. Republican lawmakers are also targeting Gardner’s handling of crime in St. Louis. A bill filed this year would allow Republican Gov. Mike Parson to appoint a special prosecutor to any circuit or prosecuting attorney’s jurisdiction for five years if he deems there is a threat to public safety.
WHY DO BAILEY AND OTHER OFFICIALS WANT GARDNER REMOVED FROM OFFICE?
Bailey and other officials, including Missouri Gov. Mike Parson, want Gardner removed after a motorist who had repeatedly violated his bond struck and injured a teenager in St. Louis this week. Police say Daniel Riley, 21, was speeding and failed to yield at an intersection when his vehicle hit another car that then struck 16-year-old Janae Edmondson. Riley, who was out on bond for a 2020 robbery charge that was dismissed and refiled last year, had violated the conditions of his bond several times, including by letting his GPS monitor die. Bailey has criticized Gardner for not filing a motion to revoke Riley’s bond. On Thursday, Bailey said Gardner illustrated a “continued pattern of failure” to “discharge her moral and legal duties.”
Read more here: https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article272584109.html