Gov. Whitmer kidnap plot jury ends 4th day of deliberations
2 years, 9 months ago

Gov. Whitmer kidnap plot jury ends 4th day of deliberations

Associated Press  

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The jury in the trial of four men accused of scheming to kidnap Michigan Gov. When jurors return for more deliberations Friday, they said they want to see pennies that, according to the government, were part of a homemade explosive detonated while the men trained in September 2020. “We will have that for you,” U.S. District Judge Robert Jonker said, adding that they can look at any evidence that was introduced during 13 days of testimony. He quoted him as saying the pennies would be so hot they could go “right through your skin.” Earlier in the week, the jury asked for a definition of “weapon.” Jonker said it’s something that could be used to “injure, kill or destroy someone or something.” The jury is considering 10 charges in the case: one against Caserta, two against Fox, three against Croft and four against Harris. ___ Find AP’s full coverage of the Whitmer kidnap plot trial at: https://apnews.com/hub/whitmer-kidnap-plot-trial ___ White reported from Detroit.

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History of this topic

Trial ordered for 5 men in plot to kidnap Michigan governor
2 years, 1 month ago

Trial ordered for 5 men in plot to kidnap Michigan governor

Associated Press  

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. — Five men were turned over for trial Wednesday on charges involving a foiled plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. “They were all involved in the plot to kidnap the governor.” He added later, “In my mind, there is clearly a criminal conspiracy here.” After his ruling, Stepka entered not-guilty pleas on the defendants’ behalf. The judge’s decision …

Trial testimony ends for 3 tied to Gov. Whitmer kidnap plot
2 years, 2 months ago

Trial testimony ends for 3 tied to Gov. Whitmer kidnap plot

Associated Press  

Prosecutors and defense lawyers rested their case Friday in the trial of three men charged with assisting the 2020 plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. An undercover FBI agent, Mark Schweers, told jurors that leader Adam Fox talked favorably about the Wolverine Watchmen, a paramilitary group whose members included Joe Morrison, Pete Musico and Paul Bellar. The trial in state court …

Jury in 3rd trial won’t hear earlier results in Whitmer plot
2 years, 3 months ago

Jury in 3rd trial won’t hear earlier results in Whitmer plot

Associated Press  

The results of two federal trials won’t be shared with jurors hearing evidence against three men who are charged in connection with a plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Defense lawyers pressed a judge in Jackson, Michigan, to let the jury know what happened to the six men who were separately charged with conspiracy in federal court. “I’m not comfortable with …

Jury pool warned of rough talk in trial tied to Whitmer plot
2 years, 3 months ago

Jury pool warned of rough talk in trial tied to Whitmer plot

Associated Press  

JACKSON, Mich. — Questions about guns, secretly recorded “repugnant” talk and even the Jan. 6 Capitol riot dominated jury selection Monday in the third trial connected to a 2020 anti-government plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. “Let’s talk about Jan. 6 at the United States Capitol.. A rather uncivilized event,” Assistant Attorney General Bill Rollstin said. “We’re talking about events that …

Michigan governor hopeful makes light of Whitmer kidnap plot
2 years, 3 months ago

Michigan governor hopeful makes light of Whitmer kidnap plot

Associated Press  

LANSING, Mich. — The Republican candidate for Michigan governor on Friday compared Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s policies to the 2020 plot to kidnap the Democratic incumbent, remarks that Democrats criticized as making light of a serious and dangerous crime. “For someone so worried about being kidnapped, Gretchen Whitmer sure is good at taking business hostage.” At an event later Friday, Dixon …

2 men convicted in Gov. Whitmer kidnap plot seek new trial
2 years, 4 months ago

2 men convicted in Gov. Whitmer kidnap plot seek new trial

Associated Press  

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Lawyers for two men convicted of conspiring to kidnap Michigan’s governor are asking for a new trial, alleging misconduct by a juror and unfairness by the judge. The court filing, unsealed Thursday, reveals an aggressive effort to learn more about a juror, even sending a private investigator to the juror’s workplace on Aug. 23, the same …

Whitmer kidnap plot convictions unlikely to curb extremism
2 years, 4 months ago

Whitmer kidnap plot convictions unlikely to curb extremism

Associated Press  

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. — The conviction of two men for conspiring to kidnap Michigan Gov. Barbara McQuade, a former federal prosecutor, said refusing to do so would have been “the coward’s way out.” “We’re seeing an escalation of threats of violence against public officials,” McQuade said. He described the Whitmer kidnapping plan as a “fake deal.” Jury selection in the …

Two men convicted in plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer
2 years, 4 months ago

Two men convicted in plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer

LA Times  

Barry Croft Jr., left, and Adam Fox were found guilty of conspiring to kidnap Michigan’s governor and conspiring to obtain a weapon of mass destruction, namely a bomb to destroy a bridge. Adam Fox and Barry Croft Jr. were also found guilty of conspiring to obtain a weapon of mass destruction, namely a bomb to blow up a bridge and …

Prosecutors rest their case against 2 men in Whitmer plot
2 years, 4 months ago

Prosecutors rest their case against 2 men in Whitmer plot

Associated Press  

Prosecutors rested their case Thursday against two men charged with conspiring to kidnap Michigan’s governor, shortly after an FBI agent who was working undercover in 2020 told jurors how a bridge played a role in the scheme. Timothy Bates, who was known as “Red,” said he participated in a night ride to Elk Rapids, Michigan, and encouraged Adam Fox to …

Witnesses say duo was eager to kidnap Michigan governor
2 years, 4 months ago

Witnesses say duo was eager to kidnap Michigan governor

Associated Press  

Two men charged with conspiring to kidnap Michigan Gov. And it’s creating a perception, I think, among the jurors that the court has a preference for how this case ends.” U.S. District Judge Robert Jonker defended his decision, saying there was no need for certain questions to be “teed up over and over again.” He complained about the trial’s pace …

Jury in kidnap plot case hears about ride to Whitmer house
2 years, 4 months ago

Jury in kidnap plot case hears about ride to Whitmer house

Associated Press  

An FBI agent who was working undercover told jurors Friday that he accompanied two men on a night drive to see the Michigan governor’s vacation home, directly connecting the pair to a key step in an alleged plot to kidnap Gretchen Whitmer in 2020. On the third day of testimony, Jonker also expressed frustration about the “ridiculous” pace of the …

Jury is told 2 men wanted to kidnap Whitmer, start revolt
2 years, 5 months ago

Jury is told 2 men wanted to kidnap Whitmer, start revolt

Associated Press  

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Two anti-government extremists sought to spark a “second American revolution” by kidnapping Michigan Gov. The steps included gun drills in a handmade “shoot house,” two rides to see Whitmer’s northern Michigan home and a stop at a nearby bridge where an explosive might be placed, Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher O’Connor said. “They wanted to violently overthrow …

Jury picked in 2nd trial in Gov. Whitmer kidnap plot
2 years, 5 months ago

Jury picked in 2nd trial in Gov. Whitmer kidnap plot

Associated Press  

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — After questions about guns, politics and COVID-19, a jury was selected Tuesday for the second trial of two men charged with conspiring to kidnap Michigan Gov. The judge and lawyers settled on 18 people, including six alternates, to hear the case against Adam Fox and Barry Croft Jr. They’re on trial again after a jury in …

2nd trial set for Aug. 9 for 2 men charged in Whitmer plot
2 years, 6 months ago

2nd trial set for Aug. 9 for 2 men charged in Whitmer plot

Associated Press  

DETROIT — A judge on Thursday set Aug. 9 for a second trial for two men charged with plotting to kidnap Michigan Gov. A jury in April acquitted two other men but couldn’t reach a unanimous verdict for Adam Fox and Barry Croft Jr. U.S. District Judge Robert Jonker set a trial date after turning down requests to clear Fox …

EXPLAINER: 2 men in Gov. Whitmer plot could be tried again
2 years, 8 months ago

EXPLAINER: 2 men in Gov. Whitmer plot could be tried again

Associated Press  

DETROIT — A jury’s inability to reach a unanimous verdict for two men charged in a conspiracy to kidnap Michigan Gov. The jury last week acquitted Daniel Harris and Brandon Caserta, whom prosecutors described as “soldiers” in the foiled plot, but deadlocked on the alleged leaders, Adam Fox and Barry Croft Jr. U.S. Attorney Andrew Birge told reporters Friday that …

Whitmer kidnap plot: 2 men acquitted, hung jury for 2 more
2 years, 9 months ago

Whitmer kidnap plot: 2 men acquitted, hung jury for 2 more

Associated Press  

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — A jury acquitted two men of all charges in a plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. “Obviously we’re disappointed with the outcome.. We have two defendants that are awaiting trial and we’ll get back to work on that,” U.S. Attorney Andrew Birge said. During closing arguments a week ago, Fox’s attorney, Christopher Gibbons, said the plan was …

In outcome of Whitmer case, some see freedom, others danger
2 years, 9 months ago

In outcome of Whitmer case, some see freedom, others danger

Associated Press  

Outside the Michigan courthouse where a jury did not convict any of the four men charged with planning to kidnap Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a defense lawyer said jurors saw the alleged plot as what it was: Dirty FBI tactics and “rough talk.” The men — who were heard on audio during the trial talking about killing Whitmer, blowing up a …

Whitmer kidnap plot: 2 men acquitted, hung jury for 2 more
2 years, 9 months ago

Whitmer kidnap plot: 2 men acquitted, hung jury for 2 more

Associated Press  

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — A jury on Friday acquitted two men of all charges in a plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. “Obviously we’re disappointed with the outcome.. We have two defendants that are awaiting trial and we’ll get back to work on that,” U.S. Attorney Andrew Birge said. During closing arguments a week ago, Fox’s attorney, Christopher Gibbons, said the …

EXPLAINER: Charges in Michigan Gov. Whitmer kidnap plot case
2 years, 9 months ago

EXPLAINER: Charges in Michigan Gov. Whitmer kidnap plot case

Associated Press  

CHICAGO — Jurors on Friday acquitted two men and deadlocked on two others accused of plotting to abduct Michigan Gov. The other two defendants, Daniel Harris and Brandon Caserta — who were found not guilty of all charges — were members of the Wolverine Watchmen, a self-styled militia with similar views, according to prosecutors. Jury instructions explained that convictions on …

3rd day ends with no verdict yet in Gov. Whitmer kidnap plot
2 years, 9 months ago

3rd day ends with no verdict yet in Gov. Whitmer kidnap plot

Associated Press  

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The third day of deliberations ended Wednesday without a verdict in a trial that centers on a plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. You now know a lot more about the case than you ever expected to know and a lot more about each other’s views than you ever expected to know.” Adam Fox, Barry Croft Jr., …

EXPLAINER: Jury mulls entrapment in Whitmer kidnap plot case
2 years, 9 months ago

EXPLAINER: Jury mulls entrapment in Whitmer kidnap plot case

Associated Press  

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Jurors deliberating at the trial of four men charged with plotting to kidnap Michigan Gov. U.S. District Judge Robert Jonker explained to jurors that agents merely suggesting a kidnapping plot to the defendants wouldn’t constitute entrapment. In determining predisposition, he said, “ask yourself what the evidence shows about the defendant’s character and reputation.” He said jurors …

2 days, no verdict in Michigan Gov. Whitmer kidnap plot case
2 years, 9 months ago

2 days, no verdict in Michigan Gov. Whitmer kidnap plot case

Associated Press  

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — A jury emerged Tuesday with no verdict yet in the trial of four men charged with conspiring to kidnap Michigan Gov. U.S. District Judge Robert Jonker thanked jurors for their “ongoing attentiveness and work” and told them to return Wednesday for a third day of deliberations. With undercover FBI agents and informants embedded in the group, …

1st day ends with no verdict in Michigan Gov. Whitmer plot
2 years, 9 months ago

1st day ends with no verdict in Michigan Gov. Whitmer plot

Associated Press  

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Jurors returned to court to ask a question Monday but offered no verdict during the first day of deliberations in the trial of four men accused of conspiring to kidnap Michigan Gov. U.S. District Judge Robert Jonker told jurors to “find a good distraction,” maybe the NCAA men’s basketball championship, and return Tuesday “ready to engage, …

EXPLAINER: Charges in Michigan Gov. Whitmer kidnap plot case
2 years, 9 months ago

EXPLAINER: Charges in Michigan Gov. Whitmer kidnap plot case

Associated Press  

CHICAGO — Jurors are deliberating at the trial of four men accused of plotting to abduct Michigan Gov. Jury instructions explain that convictions on the kidnapping and weapons conspiracy charges require evidence that each defendant committed at least one of the long list of overt acts in the indictment. Another is that Fox, Croft, Harris and Caserta held field-training exercises …

Jury gets case of 4 men charged in Gov. Whitmer kidnap plot
2 years, 9 months ago

Jury gets case of 4 men charged in Gov. Whitmer kidnap plot

Associated Press  

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — A prosecutor urged jurors Friday to convict four men in a plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Defense attorneys, meanwhile, panned the government’s case: One said the men were turned into “terrorists” by rogue investigators, while another pleaded with jurors to put the brakes on the FBI. Kessler said the group’s motive was to spark the “boogaloo,” …

Defense rests in trial of 4 men in Gov. Whitmer kidnap plot
2 years, 9 months ago

Defense rests in trial of 4 men in Gov. Whitmer kidnap plot

Associated Press  

Defense attorneys quickly rested their case Thursday after one of four men charged with plotting to kidnap Michigan Gov. At one point, Harris snapped, “Next question.” “Everyone can take it down a notch,” U.S. District Judge Robert Jonker said later. A key part of the government’s case is a firearms training weekend at Luther, Michigan, in September 2020 with a …

Prosecutors rest their case in Gov. Whitmer kidnap trial
2 years, 9 months ago

Prosecutors rest their case in Gov. Whitmer kidnap trial

Associated Press  

A man accused of leading a plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer was “antigovernment” and believed officials were out to “line their own pockets,” his longtime companion testified Wednesday before prosecutors rested their case. She was asked about Barry Croft Jr.’s tattoos, including one with three stars — popular among extremists — and his attitude toward government. Two men …

Agent: Gov. Whitmer kidnap plotters ‘excited’ about bomb
2 years, 9 months ago

Agent: Gov. Whitmer kidnap plotters ‘excited’ about bomb

Associated Press  

Two men described as leaders of a plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Prosecutors say Fox especially wanted to blow up a bridge near Whitmer’s second home in northern Michigan to thwart any police response to a kidnapping. Fox was excited about what he saw in the video,” Bates told the jury, adding that Croft “was also excited.” Traveling in three …

Witness: Whitmer kidnapping aimed at stopping Biden win
2 years, 9 months ago

Witness: Whitmer kidnapping aimed at stopping Biden win

Associated Press  

A man who pleaded guilty to planning a kidnapping of Michigan Gov. “It was just preferred.” Garbin, 26, is a critical witness for prosecutors in the trial of four men charged with conspiracy: Adam Fox, Barry Croft Jr., Daniel Harris and Brandon Caserta. Garbin said a kidnapping would be the “ignition” for civil war “and hopefully other states or other …

Witness Testifies How Extremists Planned To Kidnap Gov. Whitmer
2 years, 9 months ago

Witness Testifies How Extremists Planned To Kidnap Gov. Whitmer

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING A man who pleaded guilty to planning a kidnapping of Michigan Gov. Ty Garbin talked about building a “shoot house” with wood, tarps and scrap materials to resemble Whitmer’s home so the men could practice an eventual assault in Elk Rapids. But Garbin’s testimony comes from someone who pleaded guilty and said he was a willing participant …

Informant gives key details about plot against Gov. Whitmer
2 years, 9 months ago

Informant gives key details about plot against Gov. Whitmer

Associated Press  

A group plotting to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer talked about abducting her before the 2020 election because they believed she might join President Joe Biden’s administration and suddenly get extra security, an FBI informant testified Friday. In August 2020, less than two months before the FBI made arrests, Chappel said he was driving a pickup truck with Adam Fox …

FBI: Accused wanted ‘tyrant’ Gov. Whitmer tied up on table
2 years, 9 months ago

FBI: Accused wanted ‘tyrant’ Gov. Whitmer tied up on table

Associated Press  

A key figure in an alleged plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer told an undercover FBI agent that he wanted to restrain the “tyrant” on a table then pose for a photo “like we just made the biggest drug bust,” according to a secret recording played for jurors Thursday. Agent Mark Schweers told the jury that he was posing …

Snapshots of 4 men charged in Whitmer kidnapping plot
2 years, 9 months ago

Snapshots of 4 men charged in Whitmer kidnapping plot

Associated Press  

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — After more than two days of testimony, jurors have unflattering snapshots of four men who are charged with planning to strike back against government by kidnapping Michigan Gov. Fitness centers, he said, were “essential for a lot of people’s mental health.” In August 2020, according to the government, Fox scouted Whitmer’s cottage for the first time …

Trial resuming for 4 men accused of Michigan governor plot
2 years, 9 months ago

Trial resuming for 4 men accused of Michigan governor plot

Associated Press  

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The trial of four men charged with planning to kidnap Michigan Gov. Prosecutors say they turned their anger toward government in 2020 into a plot to kidnap Whitmer because of the restrictions she imposed during the early months of the pandemic. She has blamed former President Donald Trump for fomenting anger over coronavirus restrictions and refusing …

COVID-19 delays trial in plot to abduct Mich. Gov. Whitmer
2 years, 9 months ago

COVID-19 delays trial in plot to abduct Mich. Gov. Whitmer

Associated Press  

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The trial of four men accused of plotting to kidnap Michigan Gov. U.S. District Judge Robert Jonker did not identify the person in his order Sunday, saying only that an “essential trial participant” tested positive over the weekend. The trial, which involves 18 jurors, four defendants and a raft of lawyers and support staff, started last …

Snapshots of 4 men charged in Whitmer kidnapping plot
2 years, 9 months ago

Snapshots of 4 men charged in Whitmer kidnapping plot

Associated Press  

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — After more than two days of testimony, jurors have unflattering snapshots of four men who are charged with planning to strike back against government by kidnapping Michigan Gov. Fitness centers, he said, were “essential for a lot of people’s mental health.” In August 2020, according to the government, Fox scouted Whitmer’s cottage for the first time …

COVID-19 delays trial in plot to abduct Mich. Gov. Whitmer
2 years, 9 months ago

COVID-19 delays trial in plot to abduct Mich. Gov. Whitmer

Associated Press  

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The trial for four men accused of plotting to kidnap Michigan Gov. Undercover FBI agents and informants were expected to testify in the coming weeks, as were two co-conspirators who pleaded guilty prior to trial as prosecutors build their case against four defendants accused of plotting to kidnap Whitmer. In testimony last week, prosecutors sought to …

Jury hears man discuss plan to abduct Mich. Gov. Whitmer
2 years, 10 months ago

Jury hears man discuss plan to abduct Mich. Gov. Whitmer

Associated Press  

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Prosecutors in the trial of four men charged with plotting to kidnap Michigan Gov. He’s later heard speaking almost giddily about the damage he could cause, saying it would be “devastating.” Prosecutors say the men — Croft, Adam Fox, Daniel Harris and Brandon Caserta — planned to snatch Whitmer from her Michigan vacation home because they …

Jury picked for Michigan Gov. Whitmer kidnap plot trial
2 years, 10 months ago

Jury picked for Michigan Gov. Whitmer kidnap plot trial

Associated Press  

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — A jury was selected Tuesday for the trial of four men charged with plotting to kidnap Michigan Gov. Defense attorneys say the men deny any conspiracy to kidnap Whitmer, and have signaled an entrapment defense, criticizing the government’s use of undercover FBI agents and confidential informants. Earlier Tuesday, Jonker told prospective jurors they must put aside …

Jury Selection Starts In Michigan Governor Kidnap Plot
2 years, 10 months ago

Jury Selection Starts In Michigan Governor Kidnap Plot

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — With secret recordings and other evidence, prosecutors are pledging to show how four men were united behind a wild plot to kidnap Michigan’s governor in response to her aggressive steps to slow down COVID-19 during the early months of the pandemic. Jury selection began Tuesday for a trial that could last more than …

EXPLAINER: Charges in alleged plot to kidnap Gov. Whitmer
2 years, 10 months ago

EXPLAINER: Charges in alleged plot to kidnap Gov. Whitmer

Associated Press  

CHICAGO — Four members of anti-government groups are facing trial this week on federal charges accusing them in a chilling plot to abduct Michigan’s Democratic governor, Gretchen Whitmer, in 2020. Jury instructions proposed by prosecutors prior to trial explain that convictions on the kidnapping and weapons conspiracy charges require evidence that each defendant committed at least one of the long …

EXPLAINER: Charges at Michigan governor kidnap plot trial
2 years, 10 months ago

EXPLAINER: Charges at Michigan governor kidnap plot trial

Associated Press  

CHICAGO — Four members of anti-government groups are facing trial this week on federal charges accusing them in a chilling plot to abduct Michigan’s Democratic governor, Gretchen Whitmer, in 2020. Jury instructions proposed by prosecutors prior to trial explain that convictions on the kidnapping and weapons conspiracy charges require evidence that each defendant committed at least one of the long …

Spring break could affect jury pool in Whitmer kidnap trial
2 years, 10 months ago

Spring break could affect jury pool in Whitmer kidnap trial

Associated Press  

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Spring break could affect the makeup of the jury in the upcoming trial of four men accused of conspiring to kidnap Michigan Gov. They were “groomed” by informants and undercover agents, “like music producers seeking out young, talented, musicians that can be combined into a money-making act,” Fox’s attorney, Christopher Gibbons, said in a court filing …

Testimony ends in key hearing for 3 tied to Whitmer plot
3 years, 10 months ago

Testimony ends in key hearing for 3 tied to Whitmer plot

Associated Press  

JACKSON, Mich. — A war veteran who said he believes in small government explained Friday how he became an FBI informant in a federal investigation of an alleged plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Dan said he participated in armed protests at the state Capitol last year as well as rural training exercises. I could tell the adrenaline was starting to …

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