Three men, guilty of plotting to kidnap Michigan governor

Three men were convicted today of conspiring to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in 2020, who prosecutors say were seeking revenge against her for the restrictions she imposed during the Covid-19 pandemic.

After a two-week trial in Jackson County Circuit Court, jurors found Joseph Morrison, 28, his father-in-law, Pete Musico, 44, and Paul Bellar, 23, guilty of gang membership, gun violations and material support for a terrorist act. They could face up to 20 years in prison.

More than 12 men had been arrested in October 2020 for this case.

The court’s verdict is seen as a victory for state prosecutors who argued that the three men aided two others who were convicted in August in federal court of conspiring to kidnap the governor. This case is one of the most important domestic terrorism cases in the US in years.

In the previous trial, Adam Fox and Barry Croft Jr. were found guilty of planning to kidnap the Democratic governor from her country home. Two other defendants were acquitted.

Prosecutors argued that Morrison, Musico and Bellar were members of a paramilitary organization, the Wolverine Watchmen. This group intended to break into Whitmer’s cottage, kidnap her at gunpoint and “try” her for treason. They hoped the kidnapping would lead to a violent uprising and eventually civil war.

RES-EMP

Read the News today and get the latest news.
Follow Skai.gr on Google News and be the first to know all the news.