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 and Croft on conspiracy and weapons charges. “We don’t know what the jury was thinking.. There’s enough here to say that a rational jury could still go against Mr. Fox, go against Mr. Croft, even considering the outcome with respect for Mr. Harris and Mr. Caserta,” Jonker said.

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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 …

Judge denies bid for new trial in Whitmer kidnapping case
2 years, 1 month ago

Judge denies bid for new trial in Whitmer kidnapping case

Associated Press  

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — A federal judge has denied a new trial request by two men convicted of conspiring to kidnap Michigan’s Democratic Gov. Lawyers for Adam Fox and Barry Croft Jr. alleged misconduct by a juror and unfairness by U.S. District Judge Robert Jonker following their conviction by a federal jury in August. Defense lawyers said a juror seated …

3 men convicted of supporting plot to kidnap Gov. Whitmer
2 years, 2 months ago

3 men convicted of supporting plot to kidnap Gov. Whitmer

Associated Press  

Three men accused of supporting terrorism in the plot to kidnap Michigan’s governor were convicted of all charges Wednesday in a trial that focused on paramilitary drills and fierce contempt for government ahead of the 2020 election. The verdicts “are further proof that violence and threats have no place in our politics,” said Whitmer, who has not participated as a …

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 …

Accused of flirting, juror dismissed from Whitmer plot trial
2 years, 2 months ago

Accused of flirting, juror dismissed from Whitmer plot trial

Associated Press  

JACKSON, Mich. — A judge has dismissed a young woman from the jury hearing the trial of three men in connection with a 2020 plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Judge Thomas Wilson announced Friday that the woman has been removed from the jury, two days after attorneys raised concerns the juror was having too much non-verbal communication with defendant Paul …

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 …

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 …

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

2 men convicted in plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Whitmer

Associated Press  

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — A jury on Tuesday convicted two men of conspiring to kidnap Michigan Gov. A different jury just four months ago couldn’t reach unanimous decisions on Adam Fox or Barry Croft Jr. but acquitted two other men, a stunning conclusion that led to a second trial. Fox and Croft, they said, were “big talkers” who liked to …

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 …

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

Jury gets case of 2 men charged in Gov. Whitmer plot

Associated Press  

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Two men charged with conspiring to kidnap Michigan’s governor wanted to grab Gretchen Whitmer and hang her, prosecutors said during a stark closing argument Monday as the government tried for a second time to get convictions in an alleged plot to trigger a revolution in 2020. “These defendants were outside a woman’s house in the middle …

Prosecutors Urge Jury To Convict 2 Men In Gov. Whitmer Plot
2 years, 4 months ago

Prosecutors Urge Jury To Convict 2 Men In Gov. Whitmer Plot

Huff Post  

Two men charged with conspiring to kidnap Michigan’s governor wanted to grab Gretchen Whitmer and hang her, prosecutors said during a stark closing argument Monday as the government tried for a second time to get convictions in an alleged plot to trigger a revolution in 2020. “These defendants were outside a woman’s house in the middle of the night with …

Defense rests after challenging agents in Whitmer plot trial
2 years, 4 months ago

Defense rests after challenging agents in Whitmer plot trial

Associated Press  

Lawyers for two men charged with conspiring to kidnap Michigan Gov. Blanchard also played audio of FBI agent Hank Impola telling an informant, “A saying we have in my office is, ‘Don’t let the facts get in the way of a good story.’” But on cross-examination, agent Corey Baumgardner agreed with a prosecutor who said Impola’s remark two months after …

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 …

2 men face new trial over scheme to kidnap Michigan governor
2 years, 5 months ago

2 men face new trial over scheme to kidnap Michigan governor

Associated Press  

Two men accused of crafting a plan to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in 2020 and ignite a national rebellion are facing a second trial this week, months after a jury couldn’t reach a verdict on the pair while acquitting two others. “They’re going to try this all over again, and the government’s view is, ‘We’re going to prevail.’” Also …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

Violence for ‘tyrants’ urged in Gov. Whitmer kidnap trial
2 years, 9 months ago

Violence for ‘tyrants’ urged in Gov. Whitmer kidnap trial

Associated Press  

Jurors on Tuesday saw chilling social media posts by two people charged in a plot to kidnap Michigan’s governor, including references to hanging public officials and attacking authorities, even if it might end in death. “The government has stolen enough from me,” Brandon Caserta said on Facebook in late March 2020, a few weeks after COVID-19 hit the state and …

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 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 …

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 …

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 …

Lawyers: FBI lured men for Michigan Gov. Whitmer kidnap plot
2 years, 10 months ago

Lawyers: FBI lured men for Michigan Gov. Whitmer kidnap plot

Associated Press  

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The four men charged with planning to kidnap Michigan Gov. Investigators stepped in and stopped a “tragedy” when the men were planning to acquire a bomb to blow up a bridge near Whitmer’s home to stop police from quickly responding, Roth told jurors during his opening statement in federal court in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Roth said …

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 …

Judge orders 3 to trial in plot to kidnap Michigan governor
3 years, 9 months ago

Judge orders 3 to trial in plot to kidnap Michigan governor

Associated Press  

A Michigan judge on Monday ordered three men to stand trial in a plot to kidnap Democratic Michigan Gov. “My office is pleased to see this case move forward and to have the opportunity to hold these men accountable for their actions.” According to a court affidavit, Musico and Morrison are founding members of the Wolverine Watchmen, which authorities described …

Suspect Pleads Guilty In Plot To Kidnap Michigan Governor, Turns Government Witness
3 years, 11 months ago

Suspect Pleads Guilty In Plot To Kidnap Michigan Governor, Turns Government Witness

NPR  

Suspect Pleads Guilty In Plot To Kidnap Michigan Governor, Turns Government Witness Enlarge this image toggle caption Kent County Sheriff via AP Kent County Sheriff via AP One of six defendants charged with plotting to kidnap Michigan Gov. Sponsor Message The plea agreement lays out pages of startling details from Garbin about the alleged plot to kidnap Whitmer, a Democrat …

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