The last three men to stand trial in the case related to the alleged attempt to kidnap and kill Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D-Mich.) have been acquitted.
After a three-week trial, the jury, which deliberated for about a day, found Michael Null and his twin brother, William Null, and Eric Molitor not guilty on Sept. 15 of providing material support for terrorist acts and firearm charges.
Prosecutor James Rossiter told the jury in closing arguments on Sept. 14 that the three men sought to aid and abet “bring[ing] terrorism to Antrim County.”
“If you’re going to help somebody, knowing that they planned a terrorist act, that’s wrong,” he said.
William Barnett, Mr. Molitor’s attorney, told the jury during closing arguments that the prosecution was desperate to prove wrongdoing.
“This thing just became a good story they couldn’t back out of,” he said. “They’re here pulling the shortcuts to try to get somebody convicted, an innocent person.”
(Left) Eric Molitor. (Center) Michael Null. (Right) William Null. (Antrim County Sheriff’s Office via AP)
In the trials of the 14 men accused of plotting to kidnap Ms. Whitmer in 2020, five, including plot leader Adam Fox, were convicted on state or federal charges. Four men pleaded guilty to state or federal charges. With these three men acquitted, the number of those found not guilty in the alleged plot is now five.
The plot began amid Ms. Whitmer coming under fire for heavily-restrictive policies during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Other Outcomes
Mr. Fox is serving a 16-year federal prison sentence. Joseph Morrison was sentenced to 10 to 20 years in federal prison. Ty Garbin is serving a 30-month federal prison sentence.
Barry Croft is serving a federal prison sentence of 19 years and seven months. Kaleb Franks was sentenced to four years in federal prison. Pete Musico is serving 12 to 20 years in federal prison. Paul Bellar was sentenced to seven to 20 years in federal prison.
The Epoch Times has reached out to Ms. Whitmer’s office for her reaction to the latest acquittals.
In a statement, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel expressed disappointment but sought to put a positive spin on the verdicts.
“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,” she said.
“We remain committed to combatting acts of domestic terrorism, and the proactive work on this joint action undoubtedly saved lives,” continued Ms. Nessel, who said in March that she was a target of an assassination plot. ”I am grateful for the exemplary efforts of all involved at the local, state and federal level.”
What can we learn from this high-profile case about the importance of thorough investigations and reliable evidence in cases involving serious allegations
The last three men to stand trial in the case related to the alleged attempt to kidnap and kill Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D-Mich.) have been acquitted. After a three-week trial, the jury, which deliberated for about a day, found Michael Null and his twin brother, William Null, and Eric Molitor not guilty on Sept. 15 of providing material support for terrorist acts and firearm charges. Each of the two state charges are felonies.
Prosecutor James Rossiter told the jury in closing arguments on Sept. 14 that the three men sought to aid and abet “bringing terrorism to Antrim County.” He said, “If you’re going to help somebody, knowing that they planned a terrorist act, that’s wrong.”
William Barnett, Mr. Molitor’s attorney, told the jury during closing arguments that the prosecution was desperate to prove wrongdoing. He said, “This thing just became a good story they couldn’t back out of. They’re here pulling the shortcuts to try to get somebody convicted, an innocent person.”
This case has garnered significant attention due to its high-profile nature and the serious allegations made against the defendants. The defendants were accused of planning to kidnap Gov. Whitmer and potentially harm or kill her. The charges against them included providing material support for terrorist acts and firearm charges.
The acquittal of Michael Null, William Null, and Eric Molitor raises questions about the strength of the prosecution’s case and the evidence presented. It is the jury’s responsibility to carefully consider the evidence and determine the guilt or innocence of the defendants. In this case, the jury found that the prosecution did not provide enough evidence to prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt.
The defense attorneys argued that the prosecution’s case was based on weak evidence and unreliable witnesses. They accused the prosecution of attempting to force a conviction without sufficient evidence. The defense also questioned the motives of the witnesses and suggested that they had personal agendas or biases that influenced their testimony.
The acquittal of the defendants does not mean that they are innocent or that the alleged plot to kidnap Gov. Whitmer did not occur. It simply means that the jury could not find them guilty based on the evidence presented in court. The burden of proof is on the prosecution, and they must prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt.
This case has highlighted the importance of a fair and impartial legal system, where the guilt or innocence of individuals is determined based on evidence and the law. It also emphasizes the need for thorough investigations and reliable evidence in cases involving serious allegations.
As with any high-profile case, there are differing opinions and interpretations of the verdict. Some may feel that justice has been served, while others may question the outcome and believe that the defendants should have been found guilty. It is important to remember that the legal system is designed to ensure a fair trial and protect the rights of the accused.
Moving forward, it will be necessary to analyze the trial and its outcome to identify any potential flaws in the investigation or prosecution. Lessons can be learned from this case to improve the justice system and prevent similar issues from arising in the future.
In conclusion, the acquittal of Michael Null, William Null, and Eric Molitor in the case related to the alleged attempt to kidnap and kill Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has raised questions about the strength of the prosecution’s case and the evidence presented. The jury found the defendants not guilty of providing material support for terrorist acts and firearm charges. This case serves as a reminder of the importance of a fair and impartial legal system, where guilt or innocence is determined based on evidence and the law.
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