MI - 14 men charged in plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Oct 2020 *8 guilty, 5 NG*
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Jury hears closing remarks in 3rd trial tied to Whitmer plot
Prosecutors urged a jury Monday to convict three men for assisting the leaders of a plot...
Oct. 24, 2022
....
For hours, prosecutors went over evidence from nine days of testimony, much of it captured from social media, text messages and secretly recorded conversations. The goal: to present the three men as dangerous extremists whose disgust with government reached a tipping point when Whitmer, like other governors, ordered restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic.
[.....]
“In this country you are allowed to talk the talk, but you only get convicted if you walk the walk,” Musico's attorney, Kareem Johnson, said. “These individuals never did anything wrong, never committed any crime.”
Morrison's lawyer, Leonard Ballard, picked up on that theme, acknowledging that the men were loud, opinionated and eager to appear at Michigan Capitol protests while legally armed but broke no laws.
[.....]
The defense was barred from arguing that Morrison, Musico and Bellar were entrapped. But Bellar's attorney, Andrew Kirkpatrick, told jurors to recall that Chappel, under the direction of the FBI, was the “common denominator” at many key events.
[.....]
The jury will get the case Tuesday after a last round of arguments by prosecutors.
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Tuesday, October 25th:
*Trial continues for all (Day 11)-VERDICT WATCH! (Day 1) (State case-Jackson County) (@ am CT) - MI – Plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer – *Paul Edward Bellar (21/now 24) of Milford arrested & charged (10/7/20) & arraigned (10/20/20) with gang membership, providing material support for terrorism & carrying or possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony. Was arrested in Columbia, SC & Michigan attempting to have him extradited to Michigan. $500K Cash Surety Bond. Bond reduced to $75K (12/18/20) with restrictions. Bond @ $150K (3/29/21). Out on bond.
*Charged (5/17/21) in Circuit Court with terrorist acts-provide MA, gang membership felonies & felony firearms.
*Joseph Matthew Morrison (26/now 28) of Munith arrested & charged (10/7/20) & arraigned (10/9/20) with threat of terrorism (charge was dismissed on 3/29/21), gang membership, providing material support for terrorist acts & carrying or possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony. Bail set at $10M. Bond reduced (12/18/20) to $75K with restrictions.
*Charged (5/17/21) in Circuit Court with terrorist acts-provide MA, gang membership felonies & felony firearms. Bond reduced (12/20/21) to $5K Cash/Surety providing he will wear a GPS tether. Out on bond.
*Pete Musico (42/now 44) of Munith arrested & charged (10/7/20) & arraigned (10/9/20) with threat of terrorism (charge was dismissed on 3/29/21), gang membership, providing material support for terrorist act & carrying or possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony. Bail set at $10M. Bond reduced (12/18/20) to $100K with restrictions. Out of jail.
*Charged (5/17/21) in Circuit Court with terrorist acts-provide MA, gang membership felonies & felony firearms.
Trial began on 10/3/22 with jury selection & ended 10/4/22. Trial began on 10/5/22 & ended on 10/21/22. Judge Thomas Wilson presiding. One juror was excused on 10/14/22.
Court info from 10/8/20 thru 8/9/22 & Jury Selection Day 1-2 (10/3 to 10/4/22) & Trial Day 1-9 (10/5 to 10/21/22; no trial on 10/17-10/2/22) reference post #736 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...rnor-gretchen-whitmer-oct-2020.546457/page-37
10/24/22 Monday, Trial Day 10: Closing arguments by State Assistant Attorney General Sunita Doddamani, Musico's attorney, Kareem Johnson, and by Bellar’s attorney Andrew Kirkpatrick & Morrison’s attorney Leonard Ballard.
for more info see post #739 (article) here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...whitmer-oct-2020-4-guilty-2-ng.546457/page-37
for more info see post #742 (article) here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...whitmer-oct-2020-4-guilty-2-ng.546457/page-38
Jury will start deliberations after Prosecutors do their closing rebuttal arguments on Tuesday, 10/25/22.
Musico & Morrison are founding members of the Wolverine Watchmen. Morrison is considered Watchmen’s “Commander” & is known by the online moniker “Boogaloo Bunyan”.
*Trial continues for all (Day 11)-VERDICT WATCH! (Day 1) (State case-Jackson County) (@ am CT) - MI – Plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer – *Paul Edward Bellar (21/now 24) of Milford arrested & charged (10/7/20) & arraigned (10/20/20) with gang membership, providing material support for terrorism & carrying or possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony. Was arrested in Columbia, SC & Michigan attempting to have him extradited to Michigan. $500K Cash Surety Bond. Bond reduced to $75K (12/18/20) with restrictions. Bond @ $150K (3/29/21). Out on bond.
*Charged (5/17/21) in Circuit Court with terrorist acts-provide MA, gang membership felonies & felony firearms.
*Joseph Matthew Morrison (26/now 28) of Munith arrested & charged (10/7/20) & arraigned (10/9/20) with threat of terrorism (charge was dismissed on 3/29/21), gang membership, providing material support for terrorist acts & carrying or possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony. Bail set at $10M. Bond reduced (12/18/20) to $75K with restrictions.
*Charged (5/17/21) in Circuit Court with terrorist acts-provide MA, gang membership felonies & felony firearms. Bond reduced (12/20/21) to $5K Cash/Surety providing he will wear a GPS tether. Out on bond.
*Pete Musico (42/now 44) of Munith arrested & charged (10/7/20) & arraigned (10/9/20) with threat of terrorism (charge was dismissed on 3/29/21), gang membership, providing material support for terrorist act & carrying or possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony. Bail set at $10M. Bond reduced (12/18/20) to $100K with restrictions. Out of jail.
*Charged (5/17/21) in Circuit Court with terrorist acts-provide MA, gang membership felonies & felony firearms.
Trial began on 10/3/22 with jury selection & ended 10/4/22. Trial began on 10/5/22 & ended on 10/21/22. Judge Thomas Wilson presiding. One juror was excused on 10/14/22.
Court info from 10/8/20 thru 8/9/22 & Jury Selection Day 1-2 (10/3 to 10/4/22) & Trial Day 1-9 (10/5 to 10/21/22; no trial on 10/17-10/2/22) reference post #736 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...rnor-gretchen-whitmer-oct-2020.546457/page-37
10/24/22 Monday, Trial Day 10: Closing arguments by State Assistant Attorney General Sunita Doddamani, Musico's attorney, Kareem Johnson, and by Bellar’s attorney Andrew Kirkpatrick & Morrison’s attorney Leonard Ballard.
for more info see post #739 (article) here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...whitmer-oct-2020-4-guilty-2-ng.546457/page-37
for more info see post #742 (article) here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...whitmer-oct-2020-4-guilty-2-ng.546457/page-38
Jury will start deliberations after Prosecutors do their closing rebuttal arguments on Tuesday, 10/25/22.
Musico & Morrison are founding members of the Wolverine Watchmen. Morrison is considered Watchmen’s “Commander” & is known by the online moniker “Boogaloo Bunyan”.
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Michigan jury gets case against 3 men tied to Whitmer plot
Jurors began deliberations Tuesday in a third trial connected to a plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a spinoff of the main case that resulted in four convictions in federal court. Prosecutors acknowledge that Joe Morrison, Pete Musico and Paul Bellar were not deeply involved by...
Oct. 25, 2022
Jurors began deliberations Tuesday in a third trial connected to a plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a spinoff of the main case that resulted in four convictions in federal court.
[.....]
“You can't un-rob a bank. Once you commit a crime you can't undo it,” state Assistant Attorney General Bill Rollstin said in final remarks Tuesday.
[.....]
Morrison, 28, Musico, 44, and Bellar, 24, are charged with providing “material support” for a terrorist act and two other crimes. The jury didn't reach a verdict and will return Wednesday [10/26/22] in Jackson, Michigan, 80 miles (130 kilometers) west of Detroit.
[.....]
Morrison, who tested positive for COVID-19, and Musico were not in the courtroom. They watched final arguments by video.
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Wednesday, October 26th:
*Trial continues for all (Day 12)-VERDICT WATCH! (Day 2) (State case-Jackson County) (@ am CT) - MI – Plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer – *Paul Edward Bellar (21/now 24) of Milford arrested & charged (10/7/20) & arraigned (10/20/20) with gang membership, providing material support for terrorism & carrying or possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony. Was arrested in Columbia, SC & Michigan attempting to have him extradited to Michigan. $500K Cash Surety Bond. Bond reduced to $75K (12/18/20) with restrictions. Bond @ $150K (3/29/21). Out on bond.
*Charged (5/17/21) in Circuit Court with terrorist acts-provide MA, gang membership felonies & felony firearms.
*Joseph Matthew Morrison (26/now 28) of Munith arrested & charged (10/7/20) & arraigned (10/9/20) with threat of terrorism (charge was dismissed on 3/29/21), gang membership, providing material support for terrorist acts & carrying or possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony. Bail set at $10M. Bond reduced (12/18/20) to $75K with restrictions.
*Charged (5/17/21) in Circuit Court with terrorist acts-provide MA, gang membership felonies & felony firearms. Bond reduced (12/20/21) to $5K Cash/Surety providing he will wear a GPS tether. Out on bond.
*Pete Musico (42/now 44) of Munith arrested & charged (10/7/20) & arraigned (10/9/20) with threat of terrorism (charge was dismissed on 3/29/21), gang membership, providing material support for terrorist act & carrying or possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony. Bail set at $10M. Bond reduced (12/18/20) to $100K with restrictions. Out of jail.
*Charged (5/17/21) in Circuit Court with terrorist acts-provide MA, gang membership felonies & felony firearms.
Trial began on 10/3/22 with jury selection & ended 10/4/22. Trial began on 10/5/22 & ended on 10/21/22. Judge Thomas Wilson presiding. One juror was excused on 10/14/22.
Court info from 10/8/20 thru 8/9/22 & Jury Selection Day 1-2 (10/3 to 10/4/22) & Trial Day 1-10 (10/5 to 10/24/22; no trial on 10/17-10/2/22) reference post #743 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...rnor-gretchen-whitmer-oct-2020.546457/page-38
10/25/22 Tuesday, Trial Day 11/Closing rebuttal/Jury Deliberations Day 1: Closing rebuttal arguments by state Assistant Attorney General Bill Rollstin. Jackson County Circuit Court Judge Thomas Wilson gave the jury instructions read & jury started deliberations.
for more info see post #744 (article) here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...whitmer-oct-2020-4-guilty-2-ng.546457/page-38
Jury will continue deliberations on Wednesday, 10/26/22.
Musico & Morrison are founding members of the Wolverine Watchmen. Morrison is considered Watchmen’s “Commander” & is known by the online moniker “Boogaloo Bunyan”.
*Trial continues for all (Day 12)-VERDICT WATCH! (Day 2) (State case-Jackson County) (@ am CT) - MI – Plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer – *Paul Edward Bellar (21/now 24) of Milford arrested & charged (10/7/20) & arraigned (10/20/20) with gang membership, providing material support for terrorism & carrying or possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony. Was arrested in Columbia, SC & Michigan attempting to have him extradited to Michigan. $500K Cash Surety Bond. Bond reduced to $75K (12/18/20) with restrictions. Bond @ $150K (3/29/21). Out on bond.
*Charged (5/17/21) in Circuit Court with terrorist acts-provide MA, gang membership felonies & felony firearms.
*Joseph Matthew Morrison (26/now 28) of Munith arrested & charged (10/7/20) & arraigned (10/9/20) with threat of terrorism (charge was dismissed on 3/29/21), gang membership, providing material support for terrorist acts & carrying or possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony. Bail set at $10M. Bond reduced (12/18/20) to $75K with restrictions.
*Charged (5/17/21) in Circuit Court with terrorist acts-provide MA, gang membership felonies & felony firearms. Bond reduced (12/20/21) to $5K Cash/Surety providing he will wear a GPS tether. Out on bond.
*Pete Musico (42/now 44) of Munith arrested & charged (10/7/20) & arraigned (10/9/20) with threat of terrorism (charge was dismissed on 3/29/21), gang membership, providing material support for terrorist act & carrying or possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony. Bail set at $10M. Bond reduced (12/18/20) to $100K with restrictions. Out of jail.
*Charged (5/17/21) in Circuit Court with terrorist acts-provide MA, gang membership felonies & felony firearms.
Trial began on 10/3/22 with jury selection & ended 10/4/22. Trial began on 10/5/22 & ended on 10/21/22. Judge Thomas Wilson presiding. One juror was excused on 10/14/22.
Court info from 10/8/20 thru 8/9/22 & Jury Selection Day 1-2 (10/3 to 10/4/22) & Trial Day 1-10 (10/5 to 10/24/22; no trial on 10/17-10/2/22) reference post #743 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...rnor-gretchen-whitmer-oct-2020.546457/page-38
10/25/22 Tuesday, Trial Day 11/Closing rebuttal/Jury Deliberations Day 1: Closing rebuttal arguments by state Assistant Attorney General Bill Rollstin. Jackson County Circuit Court Judge Thomas Wilson gave the jury instructions read & jury started deliberations.
for more info see post #744 (article) here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...whitmer-oct-2020-4-guilty-2-ng.546457/page-38
Jury will continue deliberations on Wednesday, 10/26/22.
Musico & Morrison are founding members of the Wolverine Watchmen. Morrison is considered Watchmen’s “Commander” & is known by the online moniker “Boogaloo Bunyan”.
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A couple of articles regarding Monday's & Tuesday's session.
spectrumnews1.com
Unfortunately none of the articles say how long the jury deliberated on Tuesday....
Jury to begin deliberations in Jackson Whitmer kidnapping plot trial
Jurors had two weeks of testimony in the case against three men accused of materially aiding a terrorist in the plot to kidnap the governor.
eu.detroitnews.com
Michigan jury gets case against 3 men tied to Whitmer plot
Jurors have begun deliberations in a third trial connected to a plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer
spectrumnews1.com
Unfortunately none of the articles say how long the jury deliberated on Tuesday....
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3 men convicted of providing aid to terrorists in Whitmer kidnapping plot
The verdict comes after a three-week trial where the Attorney General's Office had to prove that three men provided material support to terrorists.
www.detroitnews.com
This verdict comes after a three-week trial where the Michigan Attorney General's Office had to prove that Paul Bellar, Joseph Morrison and Pete Musico provided aid to Adam Fox or Barry Croft, both of whom were ringleaders in the plot to kidnap Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. Jurors have spent two weeks listening to each side present testimony in the largest domestic terrorism case in a generation that has shed light on political extremism in Michigan.
The jury spent about five hours deliberating before coming back with the verdict. They found Bellar, Morrison and Musico guilty of providing material support to a terrorist, being a member of a gang and a felony weapons charge...
3 men convicted of supporting plot to kidnap Gov. Whitmer
Three men have been convicted of supporting a plot to kidnap Michigan’s governor.
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3 men convicted of supporting plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Whitmer
Joe Morrison, his father-in-law, Pete Musico, and Paul Bellar were found guilty of providing “material support” for a terrorist act as members of a paramilitary group, the Wolverine Watchmen.
www.nbcnews.com
Joe Morrison, his father-in-law Pete Musico, and Paul Bellar were found guilty of providing “material support” for a terrorist act as members of a paramilitary group, the Wolverine Watchmen.
They held gun drills in rural Jackson County with a leader of the scheme, Adam Fox, who was disgusted with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and other officials in 2020 and said he wanted to kidnap her...
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per post #747 article (top one)
The men face up to 42 years in prison, 20 for the charges of providing material support and gang membership and an additional two for a felony weapons charge. The gang membership sentence may run consecutively to other sentences. Sentencing for all three men is scheduled for December 15.
The men face up to 42 years in prison, 20 for the charges of providing material support and gang membership and an additional two for a felony weapons charge. The gang membership sentence may run consecutively to other sentences. Sentencing for all three men is scheduled for December 15.
JerseyGirl
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3 men convicted of all counts in Whitmer kidnapping plot
They were found guilty of providing support for a terrorist act, 20 year felony, as members of the Wolverine Watchmen.
www.freep.com
They were found guilty of providing support for a terrorist act, a 20-year felony, as members of the Wolverine Watchmen, which the jury also concluded was an illegal gang. They also were found guilty of using weapons during these crimes, which also is a felony.
The attorneys for Morrison, 28, Musico, 44, and Bellar, 24, had argued they were guilty only of tough talk, which is constitutionally protected.
Judge Thomas Wilson thanked the jury for their service and set a sentencing date of 9 a.m. on Dec. 15.
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So - only 5 to go - Antrim County ones.
Ah - @JerseyGirl - any news on the Antrim County 5? Last hearing 9/2/22. I can not access the court site.
Ah - @JerseyGirl - any news on the Antrim County 5? Last hearing 9/2/22. I can not access the court site.
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I just noticed that they were all out on bond. Are they all not remanded to jail. I don't recall reading that in any of the articles.
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Three Wolverine Watchmen Members Convicted of All Charges in Plot to Kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer
The guilty verdicts fall a little more than two years after charges were announced against seven people in a massive joint anti-terrorism operation.
lawandcrime.com
JerseyGirl
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Five of the 14 men are facing charges in state court in Antrim County, the site of Whitmer's second home. A judge there still must determine whether there is sufficient evidence to send them to trial.
3 men convicted of supporting plot to kidnap Gov. Whitmer
Three men have been convicted of supporting a plot to kidnap Michigan’s governor
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Five of the 14 men are facing charges in state court in Antrim County, the site of Whitmer's second home. A judge there still must determine whether there is sufficient evidence to send them to trial.
3 men convicted of supporting plot to kidnap Gov. Whitmer
Three men have been convicted of supporting a plot to kidnap Michigan’s governorabcnews.go.com
Well geez - he has had over a month & a half to determine whether they go to trial....
and Thanks for checking it out. Thought MAYBE there would be some court date for them.
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JerseyGirl
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No updates
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JerseyGirl
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Grand Rapids judge denied motion for new trial for 2 members involved in Whitmer kidnapping plot
Found guilty in August of conspiring to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer and trying to obtain a weapon of mass destruction, a federal judge in Grand Rapids has denied the motion for a new trial for Barry Croft and Adam Fox.
Found guilty in August of conspiring to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer and trying to obtain a weapon of mass destruction, a federal judge in Grand Rapids has denied the motion for a new trial for Barry Croft and Adam Fox.
Both men are on track to be sentenced in December and face the possibility of life in prison. Lawyers for the men had argued the federal judge hearing their case did not give them a fair trial, which the judge denied in an opinion released Friday (Nov. 25).
Three other Whitmer kidnap plotters: Pete Musico, Joseph Morrison, and Paul Bellar were found guilty on state charges in October. They also face sentencing in December. Two defendants, Daniel Harris, and Brandon Caserta were found not guilty of federal charges.
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