A Michigan jury has convicted three men of supporting a plan to kidnap and harm Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer.
In a Jackson courtroom, the trio was found guilty of providing support in an intricate plot to kidnap the governor out of anger over the state's COVID-19 restrictions. According to Detroit television station WXYZ, Pete Bellar, Joe Morrison, and Morrison's father-in-law Pete Musico were convicted of providing "material support" for an act of terrorism. The three men were also found guilty on a weapons charge and for being members of a gang.
The jury deliberated five hours to end a trial that lasted three weeks. Bellar, Musico, and Morrison lived in Munith, an unincorporated community northeast of Jackson. Jackson is 130 kilometres west of Detroit.
Morrison and Musico were not in court when the verdict was read, according to WXYZ, as one tested positive for COVID-19 and the other had symptoms.
Prosecutors told the court that the three defendants were part of the Wolverine Watchmen, a paramilitary organization that doubled as a criminal enterprise. They were accused of having strong ties to the plot's alleged ringleader, Adam Fox, who along with Barry Croft Jr., were in August convicted in federal court of conspiracy to kidnap and conspiracy to possess weapons of mass destruction.
WXYZ reported that the defence team argued that Bellar, Musico, and Morrison had cut association with Fox when the plot against Whitmer came together. Defence lawyers also said the three men did not participate in training exercises on property owned by one of the defendants, which was not far from Whitmer's summer vacation home.
The saga began two years ago when federal agents raided a farm in Hartland Township, east of Lansing. An affidavit from the FBI indicated that an unnamed militia was plotting to violently overthrow the government and kidnap Whitmer at her official residence in Lansing or her northern Michigan home.
Prosecutors said the group was upset with Whitmer and other state officials over COVID-19 restrictions and wanted to punish the governor. Defence lawyers said the men were merely upset and blowing off steam.
The governor was never in any physical danger.
Bellar, Musico, and Morrison will be sentenced on December 15. The Detroit News said each could face up to 22 years in prison, 20 for providing material support, plus two for the weapons charge.
A total of 14 people faced various charges in the case at one point. Two of them, Daniel Harris and Brandon Cresta, were found not guilty in federal court in April. Others pleaded guilty and agreed to testify for the prosecution.
Whitmer, a Democrat, is up for re-election on November 8. Her opponent is west Michigan businesswoman and commentator Tudor Dixon, a Republican.
