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Trial of men charged with planning to kidnap Michigan governor resumes

Published  March 17, 2022 8:23am EDT
Whitmer Kidnapping Plot
Associated Press

Defense attorneys argue four main suspects in Whitmer kidnapping plot were stoned

The defense attorneys for Barry Croft, Adam Fox, Brandon Caserta, and Daniel Harris, argued that they were stoned when they allegedly planned to kidnap Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Prosecutors say the men plotted to snatch Whitmer in 2020 because they were angry about pandemic restrictions and that they went well beyond talking. 

GRAND RAPIDS (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.

RELATED: Jury hears man discuss plan to abduct Whitmer during trial

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.