In a shocking development on Monday evening, St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner dismissed a felony invasion of privacy charge against Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens after the judge presiding over the case ruled that Greitens' attorneys could call Gardner herself as a witness. That, said Gardner's office, made it impossible for them to proceed, since Gardner could not reasonably serve as both prosecutor and witness.
At issue was a claim by defense attorneys that a former investigator for the prosecution had committed perjury, and that Gardner was the only potential witness who could support their arguments. Gardner's team called the decision to let her testify "unprecedented," and a former federal prosecutor unconnected to the case opined, "I've never seen anything like it."
Greitens, of course, praised the developments as a "great victory," saying that prosecutors had "dropped the false charges against me." But the case is by no means over: Gardner's office has said it will refile the charges and has asked the court to appoint a special prosecutor.
And in any event, legislative leaders from Greitens’ own Republican Party are entirely unfazed. Lawmakers had already agreed to call a special session to weigh impeachment beginning on Friday evening (immediately after the conclusion of their regular session), and they say those plans are unchanged. In fact, the speaker of the state House noted that with his trial no longer looming, Greitens would be free to testify before the legislature. Might not be such a great victory after all.