GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) — The trial of four men charged with planning to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is resuming after a three-day break because of a COVID-19 case.
U.S. District Judge Robert Jonker said testimony will pick up again Thursday. The trial was suspended this week because the virus had struck a key participant in the case.
There have been “no further complications,” the judge said Wednesday.
Jonker didn’t disclose the name of the person who tested positive for COVID-19 or their role. Masks are optional for everyone in court. Only one prosecutor and one juror wore a mask last week.
Adam Fox, Barry Croft Jr., Daniel Harris and Brandon Caserta are charged with conspiracy.
Prosecutors say they turned their anger toward government in 2020 into a plot to kidnap Whitmer because of the restrictions she imposed during the early months of the pandemic.
Testimony in federal court in Grand Rapids began on March 9. The trial could last weeks.
Jurors listening to social media videos and secretly recorded conversations heard Fox and Croft talk about taking action against government. Defense lawyers claim informants and undercover agents improperly influenced the men.
Whitmer, a Democrat who is seeking reelection, rarely talks publicly about the case.
She has blamed former President Donald Trump for fomenting anger over coronavirus restrictions and refusing to condemn right-wing extremists like those charged in the case. She has said Trump was complicit in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.
Trials begin for four men suspected of plotting to kidnap Gov. Gretchen Whitmer
WWMT News Channel 3, March 12th 2022
Brandon Caserta, Barry Croft, Daniel Harris and Adam Fox were put on trial in U.S. District Court in Grand Rapids for conspiracy to kidnap Michigan’s governor.
During opening statements, each of the suspects’ attorneys argued the men never planned or agreed to kidnap Whitmer. The defense also argued the FBI had tricked the defendants into committing the crime.
On day three of the trial, jurors were shown profanity-filled messages and social media posts from two of the defendants. Some of the footage showed Fox laughing, swearing and waving two AR-style assault rifles on camera.
So far, two FBI agents, Christopher Long and Todd Reinick, have testified. SOURCE.
