A Michigan jury acquitted three men on Friday of state charges related to the plot to kidnap Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in 2020, capping multiple legal proceedings that centered on right-wing extremism and the dangers facing the country’s political leaders.
The not-guilty verdicts were read out in a northern Michigan courtroom following a two-week trial involving Eric Molitor and twin brothers William Null and Michael Null, all of whom faced charges of providing material support for a terrorist act and illegally possessing firearms. When the verdict was announced, people in the courtroom gasped while the three men cried and hugged supporters, the Associated Press reported.
During the trial, state prosecutors had argued that Molitor and the Null brothers had participated in military-style drills and cased Whitmer’s vacation property in Antrim County in northern Michigan. The plot, which FBI informants helped disrupt, involved plans to capture Whitmer (D) at the home, detonate a bridge and ignite an armed rebellion ahead of the 2020 presidential election.
But attorneys for Molitor, 39, and the Null brothers, 41, argued that the men did not actively take part in the plot and did not consider it to be a serious threat to Whitmer. Molitor and William Null both testified in their defense, and Null told jurors he wished he had called police when he overheard others talking about acquiring explosives.
“It seemed to be getting serious,” William Null testified, according to the Huron Daily Tribune. “I don’t know if they were ever going to go through with it, but it was enough for me to not want to be involved.”
The acquittals follow several earlier trials where defendants were convicted of their roles in the kidnapping plot. Several of the defendants were members of Wolverine Watchmen, a far-right paramilitary group. At the time, the members of the antigovernmental group were upset that Whitmer had endorsed preventive measures to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
Whitmer’s office did not immediately respond to the verdict. But in a statement, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel (D) said she was disappointed by the jury’s decision. But Nessel noted that five other defendants were convicted or pleaded guilty on state charges related to the plot. The five men are serving up to a combined 131 years in prison.
“While today’s verdicts are not what we hoped for, the successes we have achieved throughout these cases, in both state and federal courts, sends a clear message that acts of domestic terrorism will not be tolerated in our state,” said Nessel.
In December, a Michigan judge sentenced three men to prison terms ranging from seven years to up to 42 years after they were convicted of providing material support for a terrorist act and weapons charges related to the plot. Two other men pleaded guilty to providing material support for a terrorist attack, with one facing up to five years in prison and the other receiving a sentence of 5 to 20 years.
Six other defendants faced federal charges related to the plot.
Kind of not news. Other have been convicted and others still await trial. So I mean it makes sense that some were not fully aware of the conspiracy and are therefore legally innocent while still ethically and mentally reprehensible.
That still makes them accessories before the fact. They knew they were participating in preparations to commit a crime and didn’t go to the authorities.
I guess if these guys were idiots going along with the plot but they got cold feet and stopped or something I could acquittal, depending on the specifics. I’m guessing they didn’t turn their “friends” in or do anything to stop the plot?
Sounds like the main “leaders” of the plot have been convicted so it’s not like the jury in this case is giving permission to kidnap governors.
But it’s apparently fine to participate in preparing to kidnap a sitting governor for a while, as long as you decide to walk away eventually.
Silence is complicity. They were involved in a conspiracy to abduct and murder an elected head ofn(state-) government.
larping
So long as at least some people are convicted for such a brazen plot, I think some acquittals are expected. There’s real moral hazard in letting such a serious crime off completely.
“Null” is a good surname for these assholes. As human beings, they truly are.
They got a very favorable jury. Bad picks from the prosecutors or they should have attempted less charges first. The only positive thing from this is the gun funds of those men must be drained by their lawyers by now. They are “not-guilty” but definitely not-innocent
So long as at least some people are convicted for such a brazen plot, I think some acquittals are expected. There’s real moral hazard in letting people think this is no big deal.
