(update) 2 acquitted, jury hung on 2 more in Whitmer kidnap plot

[Eugene]

EDIT: article updated at link

Original headline: Jury deadlocked on some charges in Whitmer kidnap plot trial

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Source: Associated Press

2 acquitted, jury hung on 2 more in Whitmer kidnap plot

By JOHN FLESHER and ED WHITE
April 8, 2022

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) — Two of four men were acquitted Friday in a conspiracy to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in 2020, motivated by fury at the Democrat’s tough COVID-19 restrictions early in the pandemic.

The jury’s verdicts against Daniel Harris and Brandon Caserta were read in the federal court in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in the case presided over by U.S. District Judge Robert Jonker. Jurors said they couldn’t agree on verdicts again Adam Fox and Barry Croft Jr. Prosecutors described Fox as a ringleader of an anti-government group.

Fox, Croft and Harris faced additional charges. The two most serious charges, kidnapping conspiracy and conspiracy to use explosives, both carry potential life sentences.

Defense attorneys portrayed their clients as credulous weekend warriors prone to big, wild talk, who were often stoned. They said FBI undercover agents and informants tricked and cajoled the men into agreeing to a conspiracy.

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Read more: https://apnews.com/article/whitmer-kidnap-plot-trial-michigan-gretchen-whitmer-grand-rapids-adam-fox-e5b58234b134e32d9655288a51f107fb