Update: Edie Knight found guilty of electioneering
Update posted June 5
Edie Knight writes a $500 check to pay her fine.
Will pay a fine, was spared jail time
–Edie Knight is found guilty of electioneering. The jury deliberated for less than an hour after closing arguments yesterday afternoon in San Luis Obispo Superior Court.
The seven men and five women agreed unanimously that the 86-year-old Atascadero great-grandmother was guilty of electioneering. During last year’s June primary, she called voters on a cell phone from the lobby at the Elks Lodge and encouraged them to vote. The fact that she called them from within 100 feet of polling place was alleged to be illegal by the state.
After the verdict, Edie wrote out a check to pay the $500 fine. She was spared doing any jail time. She says she will not appeal the decision.
Attorney Ilan Funke-Bilu.
Edie Knight says she’s relieved to have the trial over, but says she’s disappointed. She says she will continue to take part in local election campaigns.
Defense attorney Ilan Funke-Bilu was also disappointed. He called the decision to put Edie Knight on trial a political decision by State Attorney General, Xavier Becerra.
He said the fire was lit by two North County men who accused Edie Knight of wrong doing during last June’s primary election. Stephen Williams and Charles Kleeman each own property near the proposed quarry in the Santa Margarita area and were heavily involved in the fight to stop the quarry. They also campaigned for Eric Michielssen, who lost to Supervisor Debbie Arnold in the 5th District Supervisors race.
Edie Knight wrote a check to pay $500 in fines. Many local people contributed to raise more than $12,000 to help her with legal fees.
The prosecution of Edie Knight for electioneering by the California Attorney General’s office cost state tax-payers tens of thousands of dollars.
Update posted June 2:
–Edie Knight, an 86-year-old Atascadero grandmother is accused by the State Attorney’s General Office of electioneering. She told the jury she did not tell prospective voters she called “on behalf of Debbie Arnold.” Her accusers, Stephen Williams and Charles Kleeman, each testified they heard her say that. It’s one of the several discrepancies to manifest in Thursday’s courtroom. The other surprise came when defense attorney Ilan Funke-Bilu revealed that Stephen Williams, who shot the video of Knight calling voters, was not an American citizen while he worked as a poll watcher.
Edie Knight told the jury she was sorry if she broke the rules, but said she did not know calling prospective voters from the lobby of the Elks Lodge was against the law.
The judge dismissed the first count against Edie Knight, on a request from Defense Attorney Ilan Funke-Bilu. The judge refused to dismiss the second count, which includes electioneering.
Because of Judge Craig Van Rooyen’s scheduled, there is no court session today. On Monday afternoon, they’re expected to begin closing arguments.
Related stories:
Edie Knight charged with two misdemeanor counts of violating elections code
86-year-old Atascadero woman facing charges of violating election code
