Prosecutors presented secretly recorded messages, videos and conversations containing antigovernment screeds. Most of these were expressed by Barry Croft Jr., Adam Fox, and are known as the leaders. Early evidence in the likely weeks-long trial has bounced between Michigan and gatherings in Ohio, Wisconsin, and an arrest made in New Jersey.
“The pattern does not always emerge until the end. Robert Jonker, U.S. District Judge, advised jurors that they shouldn’t be under any pressure to get it right yet.
Croft and Fox, Daniel Harris, Brandon Caserta, and Brandon Caserta were all charged with conspiracy. Three of them are also facing weapons-related charges. Lawyers signal an entrapment defense by claiming that the men were manipulated by FBI agents and greedy informants.
Monday’s trial resumes in Grand Rapids federal court, Michigan. Here’s a selection of the evidence that the jury has heard:
CROFT
The 46-year old trucker from Bear in Delaware is a member of the “boogaloo,” which believes that the country is broken and that politicians should be “targeted and attacked”, Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Roth stated.
Croft and Fox were present at a meeting of allies held in Dublin, Ohio in July 2020. An informant also recorded Croft stating that he was so dedicated to anti-government causes, “I might kill a cop.”
Croft claimed that he would even shave his cheek to fool the face-detection technology used in law enforcement.
“We have one criminal governor in our possession and we’ve taken the flag from that state. Croft stated in a May 2020 video that we can then issue terms.
Joshua Blanchard, defense attorney, said that Croft was being targeted by thin-skinned FBI Agents who didn’t like Croft’s disgust at government.
He said, “There was no plan. There was no agreement. And there was no kidnapping.”
FOX
Fox, 38, from Wyoming, Michigan, lived in the basement vacuum shop while brushing his teeth at a nearby restaurant. Roth stated that Croft tapped him to lead the plot.
Fox was portrayed by the prosecution as a violent man. In a video, Fox stated that he supported a “revolutionary warfare” to eliminate “corrupt and tyrannical governments.”
Fox stated that he wanted “constitutional comfort” for angry Michigan gym owners who had their businesses shut down for months in order to stop the spread of COVID-19. He said that fitness centers were essential for many people’s mental well-being.
According to the government, Fox visited Whitmer’s cottage in August 2020 and stated that he intended to attack it during an abduction.
Christopher Gibbons, a defense attorney, said Fox was heavily influenced and influenced by a FBI informant named “Big Dan,” who was part of the Wolverine Watchmen militia.
Dan said things like “You can train to do everything, but what’s the goal?” Gibbons explained to jurors that the goal was what the government wants, referring specifically at entrapment.
CASERTA and HARRIS
In the first two days of trial, they didn’t appear as many as Croft or Fox. Roth claimed they were soldiers in Fox’s kill squad.
Harris, a former Marine infantryman suggested that Whitmer’s death would be more effective than kidnapping, possibly “posing like a pizza delivery man and shooting her at her home,” the prosecutor stated.
Roth stated that Caserta’s Canton Township home, Michigan, was filled with antigovernment items and he discussed crushing the governor’s skull.
Roth stated, “You’ll hear him say, ‘Whatever we do in future, this is my personal decision to be involved here.’”
Defense lawyers noted that Harris, 24 and Caserta (33), didn’t travel with the others to northern Michigan to inspect Whitmer’s house, which was a crucial part of the government’s case. They did participate in firearms training sessions that included a “shoothouse,” which was a mockup of Whitmer’s house.
Julia Kelly, Attorney, stated that Harris of Lake Orion (Michigan) “wasn’t perfect in the summer 2020”, but did not agree to kidnap Harris. Michael Hills, a lawyer, said that Caserta was involved in training but did not organize the “fed sponsored events.”
Harris’ parents were present at court and took notes. They also often leaned over to whisper to Kelly.
Croft and Fox, Harris, and Caserta were all arrested in October 2020. They were joined by two other Ty Garbin and Kaleb Franks. They pleaded guilty for the conspiracy and claimed that no one was being entrapped or manipulated by informants.
Roth stated to the jury that they would tell you that they made their own decisions. “They will tell the jury that the defendants made the same decision.”
Whitmer, who is running for reelection in 2018, has claimed that Donald Trump caused anger by refusing to condemn right wing extremists such as those accused in the plot. She claimed he was complicit with the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.
