Judge OKs testimony in governor’s trial

ST. LOUIS — A woman involved in an extramarital affair with Missouri Republican Gov. Eric Greitens will be allowed to testify at his felony invasion of privacy trial next week, a St. Louis judge ruled Monday.

Circuit Judge Rex Burlison rejected claims from Greitens’ attorneys that the woman’s testimony was tainted because of missteps by the prosecution’s investigator, William Tisaby. They’ve accused Tisaby of lying and withholding evidence, and said Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner knew about the misconduct and failed to stop it.

In court Monday, defense attorney Jim Martin said Tisaby has “molded” the testimony of the woman involved in the affair.

But the judge agreed with Robert Dierker of the circuit attorney’s office who argued that it should be up to a jury to decide whether the woman is credible.

Greitens, who is married, is accused of taking an unauthorized photo of the woman while she was partially nude during a sexual encounter in 2015, before he was elected. Her testimony is crucial because prosecutors confirmed Monday that they still have not obtained the photo she says Greitens took. The alleged incident came to light when the woman’s ex-husband in January released an audio recording of her discussing it.

Jury selection begins Thursday.