Judge puts final touches on Gov. Greitens criminal case

Both sides of the felony invasion of privacy case against Gov. Eric Greitens appeared for the last time before jury selection starts on Thursday.

The pretrial hearing on Wednesday covered several topics, such as what evidence could and could not be presented in the case.

Judge Rex Burlison ruled that prosecutors could not call Greitens’ former mistress a “victim,” since defense attorneys claim they believe no crime was committed, and the mistress never reported the incident to police. Instead, witnesses will be referred to by their names in court.

Burlison also said the taped conversation between the former mistress and her husband at the time may be played in certain circumstances.

Wrongdoing by the state’s private investigator, William Don Tisaby, may also be introduced as needed in the case, the judge said. Tisaby, through his attorney, has indicated he would invoke his right against self-incrimination. Prosecutors wanted to keep it from the case, saying it would only distract the jury from the facts of the case. Defense attorneys have maligned Tisaby for a month, pointing out several errors he made in turning over evidence and claiming he lied about those mistakes in a deposition.

Jury selection will start Thursday morning at the St. Louis Civil Courts building.