MI - 14 men charged in plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Oct 2020 *8 guilty, 5 NG*

[shotgun09]

More from Michael Martin:

"Keepers is already off the stand... The government has now called Ty Garbin, a previous codefendant of Adam Fox & Barry Croft who took a plea deal with prosecutors before the first trial. Garbin also testified in the 1st trial."

"Garbin received just over 6 years in prison for his role in the alleged plot, and that was after agreeing to cooperate with the government. He said Tuesday that he hopes to get more time shaved off his sentence for his continued cooperation, testimony."

"When Garbin is asked by prosecutors about what Adam Fox wanted to do to Governor Gretchen Whitmer, he responds: He wanted to “hang her on public tv for the world to see”. "

"Brandon Caserta has asserted his right not to testify… Judge Robert Jonker accepts his decision, after jury has been dismissed for the day. Caserta will not testify in this retrial. Still remains to be seen if Daniel Harris will take the stand. "

"Prosecution says they may be able to rest their case by Thursday… Defense will present witnesses after. Defense says they may be able to finish their side of things by Monday or Tuesday."

https://twitter.com/MichaelMartinGR

ETA: Additional tweets

 

[Niner]

Wednesday, August 17th:
*Trial continues (Day 6) (Federal case) (@ am CT) - MI – Plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer - *Adam Dean Fox (38/now 39) (born 1983) of Grand Rapids, *Barry Gordon Croft, Jr. (44/now 45) (no birth date given) from Bear, Delaware arrested & charged (10/8/20) & indicted (12/17/20) with conspiracy to commit kidnapping. All charged with a federal crime. All are being held without bond. Both plead not guilty (12/17/20).
*Adam Dean Fox additional charges (4/28/21) with knowingly conspiring to use weapons of mass destruction against persons or property in addition to the kidnapping conspiracy charged in October 2020. The superseding indictment further alleges that Fox, Croft & Harris intended to use the devices to destroy a nearby bridge, in effect, harming & hindering the governor’s security detail and any responding law enforcement officers.
*Barry Gordon Croft, Jr. additional charges (4/28/21) with knowingly conspiring to use weapons of mass destruction against persons or property in addition to the kidnapping conspiracy charged in October 2020. The superseding indictment further alleges that Fox, Croft & Harris intended to use the devices to destroy a nearby bridge, in effect, harming & hindering the governor’s security detail & any responding law enforcement officers & superseding indictment also alleges that on Sept. 13, 2020 in Lake County, Michigan, Croft & Harris knowingly possessed a destructive device that was not registered to them in the National Firearms Registration & Transfer Record as required by federal law.
Re-Trial (for Fox & Croft) began on 8/9/22 with jury selection, Trial began on 8/10/22. Jury: 12 jurors & 6 alternates. 8/10/22: Juror out sick replaced with alternate. 12 jurors & 5 alternates.
Criminal Complaint & court info & first trial from 10/9/20 thru 6/30/22 & Re-Trial Day, Jury Selection (Day 1-2) 8/8-8/9/22 & Trial (Day 1-4) 8/10-8/15/22 reference post #634 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...whitmer-oct-2020-garbin-guilty.546457/page-32
8/16/22 Tuesday, Trial Day 5: State witnesses: Undercover informant “Big” Dan Chappel back on stand for cross-exam. Scott Robertson with ATF, he checked their records. Matthew Keepers, a man they allege Fox was considering trying to acquire explosives.
for more info see post #635 to 637 & 639 & 640 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...whitmer-oct-2020-2-guilty-2-ng.546457/page-32
State witnesses continued: Ty Garbin, previous co-defendant.
for more info see post #641 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...whitmer-oct-2020-2-guilty-2-ng.546457/page-33
Trial continues on 8/17/22.
*Daniel Harris (24) – Found not guilty (4/8/22).
*Brandon Caserta (33) – Found not guilty (4/8/22).
*Ty Gerard Garbin (24) - Plead guilty (1/27/21) to kidnapping conspiracy & was sentenced (8/25/21) to 6 years & 3 months in Federal prison. Garbin will testify at the trial of the other defendants. Lengthy testimony & repeated debriefings have been critical in building a case to counter defense arguments that revolve around free speech issues as well as accusations of entrapment by federal undercover informants, Nils R. Kessler, the lead U.S. attorney on the case.
Kaleb James Franks (26) – Plead guilty (2/7/22) to kidnapping conspiracy. Will testify at trial & will be sentencing afterwards.
(State: for Antrim County preliminary hearings on 8/29/22 & Jackson County pretrial hearing on 8/9/22 & trial starts 10/10/22).

 

[MrsWatson]

Scrutinized FBI informant in Whitmer kidnap plot: I didn't do it for the money

Defense lawyers grilled a key government informant Tuesday in the retrial against men suspected of plotting to kidnap Gov. Whitmer in 2020.

eu.freep.com

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

Key insider: 2 men were ‘very eager’ to kidnap Gov. Whitmer

Two men charged with conspiring to kidnap Whitmer were “very eager” to move forward with the plan and expressed no reluctance, a key witness testified.

www.detroitnews.com

Two men charged with conspiring to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in 2020 were “very eager” to move forward with the plan and expressed no reluctance, a key witness testified Wednesday.

Ty Garbin also downplayed the influence of two FBI informants who trained with the group, saying he couldn’t recall them suggesting that Whitmer should be kidnapped.

“Not that I saw, no,” Garbin told jurors in federal court in Grand Rapids, Michigan...

 

[Niner]

Couldn't find any articles on what happened yesterday...

Thursday, August 18th:
*Trial continues (Day 7) (Federal case) (@ am CT) - MI – Plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer - *Adam Dean Fox (38/now 39) (born 1983) of Grand Rapids, *Barry Gordon Croft, Jr. (44/now 45) (no birth date given) from Bear, Delaware arrested & charged (10/8/20) & indicted (12/17/20) with conspiracy to commit kidnapping. All charged with a federal crime. All are being held without bond. Both plead not guilty (12/17/20).
*Adam Dean Fox additional charges (4/28/21) with knowingly conspiring to use weapons of mass destruction against persons or property in addition to the kidnapping conspiracy charged in October 2020. The superseding indictment further alleges that Fox, Croft & Harris intended to use the devices to destroy a nearby bridge, in effect, harming & hindering the governor’s security detail and any responding law enforcement officers.
*Barry Gordon Croft, Jr. additional charges (4/28/21) with knowingly conspiring to use weapons of mass destruction against persons or property in addition to the kidnapping conspiracy charged in October 2020. The superseding indictment further alleges that Fox, Croft & Harris intended to use the devices to destroy a nearby bridge, in effect, harming & hindering the governor’s security detail & any responding law enforcement officers & superseding indictment also alleges that on Sept. 13, 2020 in Lake County, Michigan, Croft & Harris knowingly possessed a destructive device that was not registered to them in the National Firearms Registration & Transfer Record as required by federal law.
Re-Trial (for Fox & Croft) began on 8/9/22 with jury selection, Trial began on 8/10/22. Jury: 12 jurors & 6 alternates. 8/10/22: Juror out sick replaced with alternate. 12 jurors & 5 alternates.
Criminal Complaint & court info & first trial from 10/9/20 thru 6/30/22 & Re-Trial Day, Jury Selection (Day 1-2) 8/8-8/9/22 & Trial (Day 1-5) 8/10-8/16/22 reference post #642 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...whitmer-oct-2020-garbin-guilty.546457/page-32
8/17/22 Wednesday, Trial Day 6: State witnesses: Ty Garbin, previous co-defendant back on stand. No other info available.
for more info see post #644 (article) here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...whitmer-oct-2020-2-guilty-2-ng.546457/page-33
Trial continues on 8/18/22.
*Daniel Harris (24) – Found not guilty (4/8/22).
*Brandon Caserta (33) – Found not guilty (4/8/22).
*Ty Gerard Garbin (24) - Plead guilty (1/27/21) to kidnapping conspiracy & was sentenced (8/25/21) to 6 years & 3 months in Federal prison. Garbin will testify at the trial of the other defendants. Lengthy testimony & repeated debriefings have been critical in building a case to counter defense arguments that revolve around free speech issues as well as accusations of entrapment by federal undercover informants, Nils R. Kessler, the lead U.S. attorney on the case.
Kaleb James Franks (26) – Plead guilty (2/7/22) to kidnapping conspiracy. Will testify at trial & will be sentencing afterwards.
(State: for Antrim County preliminary hearings on 8/29/22 & Jackson County pretrial hearing on 8/9/22 & trial starts 10/10/22).

 

[Niner]

@JerseyGirl - I was wondering if you can find anything on the 3 Jackson County guys. Last hearing was on 8/9/22 - and is there another court hearing before their trial starts with jury selection on 10/3/22 & trial begins on 10/10/22? Or what happened at their hearing on 8/9/22?

They are Paul Bellar, Joseph Morrison & Pete Musico - were bound over to Circuit court.

TIA!

 

[JerseyGirl]

Prosecution rests case in Gov. Whitmer kidnap plot trial

Jury deliberations could begin as early as Friday in the Gov. Gretchen Whitmer kidnap plot retrial.

www.freep.com

 

[JerseyGirl]

@JerseyGirl - I was wondering if you can find anything on the 3 Jackson County guys. Last hearing was on 8/9/22 - and is there another court hearing before their trial starts with jury selection on 10/3/22 & trial begins on 10/10/22? Or what happened at their hearing on 8/9/22?

They are Paul Bellar, Joseph Morrison & Pete Musico - were bound over to Circuit court.

TIA!

All I could find:

Attorneys involved in the case of Joseph Morrison, Pete Musico and Paul Bellar appeared before Jackson Circuit Judge Thomas Wilson Aug. 9 for a hearing on several motions related to their upcoming trial, scheduled for Oct. 3.

Attorneys prepare for ‘lengthy’ trial in Whitmer kidnapping case

The three men are on track for a lengthy trial beginning in October.

mlive.com

The Antrim County defendants, Brian Higgins, Michael Null, William Null, Eric Molitor and Shawn Fix, in the related Antrim County case are scheduled to appear for a preliminary examination in Traverse City on August 29 – September 1.

AG Nessel Prevails in Continued Prosecution of Wolverine Watchmen

AG Nessel Prevails in Continued Prosecution of Wolverine Watchmen

www.michigan.gov

 

[shotgun09]

Man acquitted on all charges in 1st Gov. Whitmer kidnap plot trial speaks to FOX 17​

Brandon Caserta was found not guilty of conspiracy to kidnap in the first trial, after spending 18 months behind bars

"I think it's ridiculous that the government's still going to try to continue to push this narrative that these people are actually terrorists, and that actually wanted to do violence," Caserta told FOX 17 Thursday.

"I mean, this is a group of dudes who shoot guns and talk crap. You know what I mean? And that's really what it is."

WATCH Full Interview:

Man acquitted on all charges in 1st Gov. Whitmer kidnap plot trial speaks to FOX 17

One of the men who was charged in the alleged plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, and later acquitted on all counts, talked with FOX 17 Thursday.

www.fox17online.com

 

[Niner]

All I could find:

Attorneys involved in the case of Joseph Morrison, Pete Musico and Paul Bellar appeared before Jackson Circuit Judge Thomas Wilson Aug. 9 for a hearing on several motions related to their upcoming trial, scheduled for Oct. 3.

Attorneys prepare for ‘lengthy’ trial in Whitmer kidnapping case

The three men are on track for a lengthy trial beginning in October.

mlive.com

The Antrim County defendants, Brian Higgins, Michael Null, William Null, Eric Molitor and Shawn Fix, in the related Antrim County case are scheduled to appear for a preliminary examination in Traverse City on August 29 – September 1.

AG Nessel Prevails in Continued Prosecution of Wolverine Watchmen

AG Nessel Prevails in Continued Prosecution of Wolverine Watchmen

www.michigan.gov

Thank you for this update.

 

[Niner]

Friday, August 19th:
*Trial continues (Day 8)-VERDICT WATCH! (Federal case) (@ am CT) - MI – Plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer - *Adam Dean Fox (38/now 39) (born 1983) of Grand Rapids, *Barry Gordon Croft, Jr. (44/now 45) (no birth date given) from Bear, Delaware arrested & charged (10/8/20) & indicted (12/17/20) with conspiracy to commit kidnapping. All charged with a federal crime. All are being held without bond. Both plead not guilty (12/17/20).
*Adam Dean Fox additional charges (4/28/21) with knowingly conspiring to use weapons of mass destruction against persons or property in addition to the kidnapping conspiracy charged in October 2020. The superseding indictment further alleges that Fox, Croft & Harris intended to use the devices to destroy a nearby bridge, in effect, harming & hindering the governor’s security detail and any responding law enforcement officers.
*Barry Gordon Croft, Jr. additional charges (4/28/21) with knowingly conspiring to use weapons of mass destruction against persons or property in addition to the kidnapping conspiracy charged in October 2020. The superseding indictment further alleges that Fox, Croft & Harris intended to use the devices to destroy a nearby bridge, in effect, harming & hindering the governor’s security detail & any responding law enforcement officers & superseding indictment also alleges that on Sept. 13, 2020 in Lake County, Michigan, Croft & Harris knowingly possessed a destructive device that was not registered to them in the National Firearms Registration & Transfer Record as required by federal law.
Re-Trial (for Fox & Croft) began on 8/9/22 with jury selection, Trial began on 8/10/22. Jury: 12 jurors & 6 alternates. 8/10/22: Juror out sick replaced with alternate. 12 jurors & 5 alternates. Federal Government rested their case on 8/18/22. Defense started their case on 8/18/22. Jury is expecting to received case on 8/19/22.
Criminal Complaint & court info & first trial from 10/9/20 thru 6/30/22 & Re-Trial Day, Jury Selection (Day 1-2) 8/8-8/9/22 & Trial (Day 1-5) 8/10-8/16/22 reference post #642 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...whitmer-oct-2020-garbin-guilty.546457/page-32
8/17/22 Wednesday, Trial Day 6: State witnesses: Ty Garbin, previous co-defendant back on stand. No other info available.
for more info see post #644 (article) here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...whitmer-oct-2020-2-guilty-2-ng.546457/page-33
Trial continues on 8/18/22.
8/18/22 Thursday, Trial Day 7: State witnesses: Kaleb Franks. Handful of government witnesses Thursday, mostly FBI agents & analysts who gathered & examined evidence. The federal government rested their case. After the government rested, the defense sought an acquittal from the judge, arguing the government had not proven its case based on the evidence presented. But the judge concluded that a reasonable jury could find the defendants guilty — not that they should, but that they could — and denied the request. The jury was dismissed at 1:30 p.m. Thursday after hearing from the defense's first witness: a friend of Croft who attended many of the events that were cited during trial.
for more info see post #647 (article) here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...whitmer-oct-2020-2-guilty-2-ng.546457/page-33
Trial continues on 8/19/22 with defense case & jurors might get case in the afternoon.
*Daniel Harris (24) – Found not guilty (4/8/22).
*Brandon Caserta (33) – Found not guilty (4/8/22).
*Ty Gerard Garbin (24) - Plead guilty (1/27/21) to kidnapping conspiracy & was sentenced (8/25/21) to 6 years & 3 months in Federal prison. Garbin will testify at the trial of the other defendants. Lengthy testimony & repeated debriefings have been critical in building a case to counter defense arguments that revolve around free speech issues as well as accusations of entrapment by federal undercover informants, Nils R. Kessler, the lead U.S. attorney on the case.
Kaleb James Franks (26) – Plead guilty (2/7/22) to kidnapping conspiracy. Will testify at trial & will be sentencing afterwards.
(State: for Antrim County preliminary hearings on 8/29/22 & Jackson County pretrial hearing on 8/9/22 & jury selection starts on 10/3/22 & trial starts 10/10/22).

 

[shotgun09]

"BREAKING: The defense has rested their case in the retrial of Adam Fox and Barry Croft, who are once again facing charges in the alleged plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Court is taking a break, but we will likely get closing arguments shortly here. "

"In the first trial we had 15 days of testimony (including jury selection, opening & closing statements) We will close out this retrial in 9 days, before the case goes to the jury. The burden of proof rests with the government. "

"The government is allowed a rebuttal after defense presents their case. They have decided not to give any rebuttal in this case. Court is now doing jury instructions. Closing arguments will happen next. "

We will not be hearing closing arguments today... Judge Robert Jonker went through jury instructions & then dismissed the jury for the day. Monday will begin with closing arguments. "

https://twitter.com/MichaelMartinGR

 

[JerseyGirl]

Defense rests after challenging agents in Whitmer plot trial

Closing arguments were scheduled for Monday in federal court in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

www.whsv.com

 

[MrsWatson]

Judge tells Whitmer kidnap jury: It's not entrapment if you're already willing

Closing arguments in Whitmer kidnap case paint two different pictures: Are defendants entrapped potheads, or willing criminals?

eu.freep.com

In court Friday, Jonker explained to the jurors the following elements about entrapment:

• It's not entrapment if someone is already willing to commit the crime.
• Even if the government provides someone with a favorable opportunity to commit the crime, it's not entrapment if that person is already willing to commit the crime.
• If an FBI agent persuades someone to commit a crime, it's not entrapment if that person is already willing.

"It is sometimes necessary for a government agent to pretend to be a criminal," Jonker told the jury, noting there are some key questions to consider about defendants when deciding an entrapment claim:

"Did they show reluctance? And if they did, were they overcome by persuasion? If yes, how much persuasion did the government use?" Jonker said.

To prove entrapment, the defendants must show that the kidnapping idea and momentum for the crime was introduced by the FBI, and that they were not already willing or predisposed to commit the crime — a point Jonker stressed repeatedly.

 

[Niner]

Monday, August 22nd:
*Trial continues (Day 9)-Closing Arguments (Federal case) (@ am CT) - MI – Plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer - *Adam Dean Fox (38/now 39) (born 1983) of Grand Rapids, *Barry Gordon Croft, Jr. (44/now 45) (no birth date given) from Bear, Delaware arrested & charged (10/8/20) & indicted (12/17/20) with conspiracy to commit kidnapping. All charged with a federal crime. All are being held without bond. Both plead not guilty (12/17/20).
*Adam Dean Fox additional charges (4/28/21) with knowingly conspiring to use weapons of mass destruction against persons or property in addition to the kidnapping conspiracy charged in October 2020. The superseding indictment further alleges that Fox, Croft & Harris intended to use the devices to destroy a nearby bridge, in effect, harming & hindering the governor’s security detail and any responding law enforcement officers.
*Barry Gordon Croft, Jr. additional charges (4/28/21) with knowingly conspiring to use weapons of mass destruction against persons or property in addition to the kidnapping conspiracy charged in October 2020. The superseding indictment further alleges that Fox, Croft & Harris intended to use the devices to destroy a nearby bridge, in effect, harming & hindering the governor’s security detail & any responding law enforcement officers & superseding indictment also alleges that on Sept. 13, 2020 in Lake County, Michigan, Croft & Harris knowingly possessed a destructive device that was not registered to them in the National Firearms Registration & Transfer Record as required by federal law.
Re-Trial (for Fox & Croft) began on 8/9/22 with jury selection, Trial began on 8/10/22 & government rested their case on 8/18/22. Defense began their case on 8/18/22 & ended on 8/19/22. Jury: 12 jurors & 6 alternates. 8/10/22: Juror out sick replaced with alternate. 12 jurors & 5 alternates.
Criminal Complaint & court info & first trial from 10/9/20 thru 6/30/22 & Re-Trial Day, Jury Selection (Day 1-2) 8/8-8/9/22 & Trial (Day 1-7) 8/10-8/18/22 reference post #651 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...whitmer-oct-2020-garbin-guilty.546457/page-33
8/19/22 Friday, Trial Day 8: Defense witnesses: John Penrod, a Delaware state trooper who worked on the case with the FBI. Defense attorney Joshua 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.’” FBI agent Corey Baumgardner. Fox & Croft Jr. declined to testify. The defense rested their case. The government is allowed a rebuttal after defense presents their case. They have decided not to give any rebuttal in this case. Judge Robert Jonker went through jury instructions & then dismissed the jury for the day. Monday, 8/22/22 will begin with closing arguments.
for more info see post #653 (article) here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...whitmer-oct-2020-2-guilty-2-ng.546457/page-33
*Daniel Harris (24) – Found not guilty (4/8/22).
*Brandon Caserta (33) – Found not guilty (4/8/22).
*Ty Gerard Garbin (24) - Plead guilty (1/27/21) to kidnapping conspiracy & was sentenced (8/25/21) to 6 years & 3 months in Federal prison. Garbin will testify at the trial of the other defendants. Lengthy testimony & repeated debriefings have been critical in building a case to counter defense arguments that revolve around free speech issues as well as accusations of entrapment by federal undercover informants, Nils R. Kessler, the lead U.S. attorney on the case.
Kaleb James Franks (26) – Plead guilty (2/7/22) to kidnapping conspiracy. Will testify at trial & will be sentencing afterwards.
(State: for Antrim County preliminary hearings on 8/29/22 & Jackson County pretrial hearing on 8/9/22 & trial starts 10/10/22).

 

[shotgun09]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1561742861086990337

 

[JerseyGirl]

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

A jury has heard closing arguments and begun deliberations in the second trial of two men charged with conspiring to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer

www.baynews9.com

 

[Niner]

Tuesday, August 23rd:
*Trial continues (Day 10)-VERDICT WATCH! (Day 2) (Federal case) (@ am CT) - MI – Plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer - *Adam Dean Fox (38/now 39) (born 1983) of Grand Rapids, *Barry Gordon Croft, Jr. (44/now 45) (no birth date given) from Bear, Delaware arrested & charged (10/8/20) & indicted (12/17/20) with conspiracy to commit kidnapping. All charged with a federal crime. All are being held without bond. Both plead not guilty (12/17/20).
*Adam Dean Fox additional charges (4/28/21) with knowingly conspiring to use weapons of mass destruction against persons or property in addition to the kidnapping conspiracy charged in October 2020. The superseding indictment further alleges that Fox, Croft & Harris intended to use the devices to destroy a nearby bridge, in effect, harming & hindering the governor’s security detail and any responding law enforcement officers.
*Barry Gordon Croft, Jr. additional charges (4/28/21) with knowingly conspiring to use weapons of mass destruction against persons or property in addition to the kidnapping conspiracy charged in October 2020. The superseding indictment further alleges that Fox, Croft & Harris intended to use the devices to destroy a nearby bridge, in effect, harming & hindering the governor’s security detail & any responding law enforcement officers & superseding indictment also alleges that on Sept. 13, 2020 in Lake County, Michigan, Croft & Harris knowingly possessed a destructive device that was not registered to them in the National Firearms Registration & Transfer Record as required by federal law.
Re-Trial (for Fox & Croft) began on 8/9/22 with jury selection, Trial began on 8/10/22 & government rested their case on 8/18/22. Defense began their case on 8/18/22 & ended on 8/19/22. Jury: 12 jurors & 6 alternates. 8/10/22: Juror out sick replaced with alternate. 12 jurors & 5 alternates. Jury Deliberations Day 1 (8/22/22): ~5 hours (from 12noon to 5pm).
Criminal Complaint & court info & first trial from 10/9/20 thru 6/30/22 & Re-Trial Day, Jury Selection (Day 1-2) 8/8-8/9/22 & Trial (Day 1-8) 8/10-8/19/22 reference post #655 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...whitmer-oct-2020-garbin-guilty.546457/page-33
8/22/22 Monday, Trial Day 9/Jury Deliberations Day 1: Assistant U.S. Attorney Nils Kessler, Fox attorney Christopher Gibbons & Croft's attorney, Joshua Blanchard did closing arguments. Government gave their rebuttal arguments. The jury got the case around noon after a morning of final remarks.
for more info see post #656 & 657 (articles) here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...whitmer-oct-2020-2-guilty-2-ng.546457/page-33
Trial continues on 8/23/22 with jury deliberations.
*Daniel Harris (24) – Found not guilty (4/8/22).
*Brandon Caserta (33) – Found not guilty (4/8/22).
*Ty Gerard Garbin (24) - Plead guilty (1/27/21) to kidnapping conspiracy & was sentenced (8/25/21) to 6 years & 3 months in Federal prison. Garbin will testify at the trial of the other defendants. Lengthy testimony & repeated debriefings have been critical in building a case to counter defense arguments that revolve around free speech issues as well as accusations of entrapment by federal undercover informants, Nils R. Kessler, the lead U.S. attorney on the case.
Kaleb James Franks (26) – Plead guilty (2/7/22) to kidnapping conspiracy. Will testify at trial & will be sentencing afterwards.
(State: for Antrim County preliminary hearings on 8/29/22 & Jackson County pretrial hearing on 8/9/22 & trial starts 10/10/22).

 

[MrsWatson]

Feds try to salvage Whitmer kidnap case in closing arguments: 'They wanted to execute her'

Feds focus closing arguments in Whitmer kidnap case on the nighttime casing of governor's cottage. 'Look how close they got.'

eu.freep.com

 

[Cryptic]

Discussed today, was some of the 'plans"....including the groups desire to get two helicopters, to aid in their adventure. !!!!!!!!!
These guys were seriously gonna kidnap a governor?
And, somehow... they were planning on a boat escape, and method of stranding GW in Lake Michigan....without a boat??

But, yeah.....sleep with the guys, feed em weed and booze....and keep them talking.

If these guys want to win, they need to do it with the jury, not with the judge, nor the appellate court.

Other informant conspiracy cases have featured:

- Small brained Eco warriors planning to blow up a dam with bomb ingredients purchased in a twenty minute shopping spree at Ace Hardware. Informant provided weed, rides, and "Exxon Rapes Mother Earth-again" type videos.

- Ecos "agreeing" while stoned to blow up three bridges with out knowing why they wanted to blow up the bridges.

- Dimwitted Jihadis agreeing to "wage ground war" against the USA- and blow up Sears Tower. Leader offered 50K cash to save business (was going to run construction company while waging "ground war"?). Group converts to Islam and swears allegiance to Al Queda in a brief, informant led "secret ceremony". First two trials are mistrials, but government gets convictions in round 3.

-An informant repeatedly approaching Jihaders until they were offered enough money, a barbershop (wtf) and a "living large car" to blow up multiple synagogues and shoot down military planes- all in one night. FBI handler instructs informant to keep straying plotters "focused". He then calls them up for more planning / juice up meetings.

Yet.....

Appellate courts have repeatedy held that being dimwitted, having been approached multiple times, being given intoxicating substances, being shown inflammatory material, given free rides, the plot being harebrained, being offered substantial amounts of cash and cool stuff are not excuses.