(Missouri Independent) – Former Gov. Eric Greitens will testify for the first time next week on allegations of spousal and child abuse made by his ex-wife in a custody case.
During a brief Friday morning hearing, Assistant Circuit Judge Leslie Schneider ordered both Eric Greit and his ex-wife, Sheena Greit, to appear in a closed courtroom for testimony. Whether a transcript of her statement will be released is uncertain.
At the hearing, Schneider said at times that she was frustrated because it had been eight months since Sheena Greitens filed a motion to move the case to Texas and four months since Sheena Greitens filed an affidavit detailing her abuse allegations are listed.
“We just have to get it right,” says Schneider.
Friday’s hearing was originally scheduled for both parties to testify and for their attorneys to present final arguments and evidence for Schneider to consider. But she agreed the case could be filed through exhibits and depositions as court-appointed attorney Liz Magee raised concerns Monday about the public relations impact on the children.
Sheena Greiten’s attorney, Helen Wade, attempted to schedule a deposition for Eric Greitens this week but was unable to do so because his attorney, Gary Stamper, had a scheduling conflict.
During Friday’s hearing, Stamper questioned whether testimony was even required. The allegations became fodder for a $2.4 million Show Me Values ad campaign seeking to defeat Eric Greitens in the GOP Senate primary.
“Now you can hear it 20 times a day depending on where you get your messages from,” Stamper said.
However, Wade said testimony was essential to her case and Eric Greitens was trying to avoid being placed under oath.
“I understand Mr. Greitens doesn’t want to testify before the elementary school,” Wade said. “I understand, but we want this case to be over.”
Many of the allegations Sheena Greitens has leveled against her ex-husband relate to his actions in 2018 when he resigned as governor amid criminal and impeachment proceedings. She fled her home in June 2018, 10 days after he quit, and took her children to their parents, fearing he might harm the family.
He has not testified on any of the issues raised in the impeachment or impeachment proceedings.
Sheena Greitens has accused him of physically abusing her children, punching them and stealing their phone and threatening to commit suicide. Sheena Greitens also said in affidavits that he accused her of colluding with political enemies to leak those allegations in 2018.
Through court filings and in public statements, Eric Greitens has denied the allegations, proclaimed his devotion to his sons, and accused Sheena Greitens of lying and publishing the charges in a conspiracy with political enemies including Karl Rove and Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell .
Greitens is attempting a political comeback in a crowded Republican field, and how the public views his time as governor and the new abuse allegations may determine his fate in the election. In the latest public poll, conducted late last month, he is practically on par with his main rivals, US Rep. Vicky Hartzler and Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt.
Stamper argued that everything Schneider needed could be supplied with exhibits and an affidavit by Eric Greitens. And he was concerned that even these materials would be made public.
“I sincerely question the scope of the investigation as there are no evidentiary rules for deposit and I am genuinely concerned about declassification, disclosure and ancillary use,” he said.
As she listened to the attorneys, Schneider’s desperation at the delays grew.
“It was scheduled for today,” she said. “I’m ready to hear the evidence.”
And at one point, she asked if Sheena Greitens was willing to testify, hinting that it should be done immediately.
As they discussed the scope of the filing, Schneider warned the attorneys not to overbroad their questions.
“I have a very limited issue that I’m dealing with,” Schneider said.
The issue before Schneider is whether to move jurisdiction over custody decisions to Texas, where Sheena Greitens now resides, or remain in Boone County, where her 2020 divorce filed, but the judge adjourned that decision to Schneider.
Scheduling the dismissal was the final matter. When Stamper said Eric Greitens wasn’t available Wednesday, Wade said he had plenty of time for other activities.
“Well, he was available to go to Finland for five days on July 4th,” she said.
After Wade argued that an affidavit would not suffice because she had to be able to question Eric Greitens, Stamper said his client would acquiesce.
“Eric isn’t afraid to testify,” Stamper said. “He strives to be heard when necessary.”
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