Two of four men were acquitted Friday in a conspiracy to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in 2020, motivated by fury at the Democrat’s tough COVID-19 restrictions early in the pandemic.
The jury’s verdicts against Daniel Harris and Brandon Caserta were read in the federal court in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in the case presided over by U.S. District Judge Robert Jonker. Jurors said they couldn’t agree on verdicts again Adam Fox and Barry Croft Jr. Prosecutors described Fox as a ringleader of an anti-government group.
To counter that entrapment claim, prosecutors entered evidence that the men discussed abducting Whitmer before the FBI sting began. They went way beyond talk, including scouting Whitmer’s summer home and testing explosives, prosecutors told jurors.Earlier Friday, U.S. District Judge Robert Jonker acknowledged the struggle of deliberations. Decisions to convict or acquit must be unanimous.
In his closing argument on April 1, Assistant U.S. Attorney Nils Kessler said Croft wanted to test the explosive as a possible weapon to use against Whitmer’s security team. He quoted him as saying the pennies would be so hot they could go “right through your skin.”
Deutschland Neuesten Nachrichten, Deutschland Schlagzeilen
Similar News:Sie können auch ähnliche Nachrichten wie diese lesen, die wir aus anderen Nachrichtenquellen gesammelt haben.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer Sues To Protect Abortion Rights In Michigan“If Roe is overturned, abortion could become illegal in Michigan in nearly any circumstance,' Whitmer said in a statement.
Weiterlesen »
Jury deadlocked on some charges in Michigan Gov. Whitmer kidnapping caseProsecutors said the defendants were steeped in anti-government extremism and angry over Whitmer's COVID-19 restrictions.
Weiterlesen »
Jury acquits two in Michigan gov. kidnap plot; deadlocks on two othersAdam Fox, Barry Croft, Jr., Daniel Harris, and Brandon Caserta said they were set up by FBI informants and agents in a plot that stoked fears of domestic political violence.
Weiterlesen »
Two men acquitted in conspiracy plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. WhitmerA unanimous verdict was not reached for the other two men allegedly involved in the scheme.
Weiterlesen »
EXPLAINER: Charges in Michigan Gov. Whitmer kidnap plot caseCHICAGO (AP) — Jurors on Friday acquitted two men and deadlocked on two others accused of plotting to abduct Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in 2020. They concluded nearly five days of deliberations after weeks of testimony in U.S.
Weiterlesen »
2 acquitted, jury hung on 2 more in Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer kidnap plot trialA jury said Friday it has reached decisions on “several” of the 10 charges but was deadlocked on others in the trial of four men accused of conspiring to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
Weiterlesen »