3 men accused of plotting to kidnap Michigan Gov. Whitmer acquitted.
OAN’s Taylor Tinsley
1:48 PM – Thursday, September 15, 2023
Three Men Found Not Guilty in Plot to Kidnap Michigan Governor
After more than 10 hours of deliberation, an Antrim County jury has found three men not guilty in the plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer.
Eric Molitor, 39, and twin brothers Michael and William Null, 41, were exonerated by the unanimous verdict.
“The bonds have been terminated, you gentlemen are free to leave,” said Judge Charles Hamlyn.
The charges against the defendants included providing material support to a terrorist plan and possessing a firearm, with the former carrying a potential sentence of up to 20 years in prison.
The FBI initiated the investigation into the kidnapping plot in 2020, utilizing informants and undercover agents to infiltrate the plan. The plot aimed to kidnap Governor Whitmer (D-Mich.) from her Elk Rapids cabin during the early stages of the Coronavirus lockdowns.
The trial spanned two weeks, during which jurors heard over 100 hours of testimony. Molitor and William Null testified in their own defense, while Michael Null did not testify and his lawyer chose not to question any witnesses.
Prosecutors argued that the defendants intended to assist the key players in bringing terrorism to Antrim County.
However, the defendants maintained that while they were frustrated with the government, they had no intention of resorting to violence against Governor Whitmer or local law enforcement. Molitor and William Null testified that they became aware of the true nature of the plot at the last minute.
During his testimony, William Null stated, “It seemed to be getting serious at that point in time, yeah. Again, I don’t know if they were ever going to go through with it, but it was enough for me to not want to be involved.”
The case gained significant attention during the height of the Coronavirus pandemic, a period marked by increased political violence and protests in the United States.
A central argument in the case revolved around whether the defendants were aware of their contribution to a terrorist act and the role of FBI informants leading up to their arrests.
During closing arguments, William Barnet, Molitor’s attorney, highlighted the prosecution’s use of purposefully misedited tapes, questioning their motives and the strength of their case.
“They were short, abbreviated, out of context video clips cutting off Eric Molitor mid sentence, giving you false impressions as to his statements… Why would the government do this?” he questioned. “Why are they putting on a tape that’s shortened with Eric’s mouth wide open? That’s the evidence they’re presenting to you, why would they go to that level? It’s because their case is weak.”
Following the verdict, the defendants, their families, and even some of their lawyers broke down in tears.
Out of the 14 men accused in the plot, 9 have been convicted while five have been exonerated.
The plot’s key leaders, Adam Fox and Barry Croft Jr., were both convicted of kidnapping conspiracy last year. Fox is currently serving a 16-year sentence, while Croft was sentenced to nearly 20 years.
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What role did the FBI play in investigating and infiltrating the kidnapping plot?
Ve pleaded guilty, and the remaining five are awaiting trial. The three men who were found not guilty in the plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer are Eric Molitor, 39, and twin brothers Michael and William Null, 41. After more than 10 hours of deliberation, an Antrim County jury reached a unanimous verdict, exonerating the defendants.
The charges against the defendants included providing material support to a terrorist plan and possessing a firearm, with the former carrying a potential sentence of up to 20 years in prison. However, the defendants maintained their innocence, arguing that they had no intention of resorting to violence against Governor Whitmer or local law enforcement. Molitor and William Null testified that they became aware of the true nature of the plot at the last minute and chose not to be involved.
During the trial, which spanned two weeks, jurors heard over 100 hours of testimony. The FBI initiated the investigation into the kidnapping plot in 2020, utilizing informants and undercover agents to infiltrate the plan. The aim of the plot was to kidnap Governor Whitmer from her Elk Rapids cabin during the early stages of the Coronavirus lockdowns. The case gained significant attention during the height of the pandemic when political violence and protests were on the rise in the United States.
A central argument in the case revolved around whether the defendants were aware of their contribution to a terrorist act and the role of FBI informants leading up to their arrests. Defense attorney William Barnet highlighted the prosecution’s use of purposefully misedited tapes during closing arguments, raising questions about their motives and the strength of their case.
Following the verdict, the defendants, their families, and even some of their lawyers broke down in tears. The trial outcome brings relief to the three men who had maintained their innocence throughout the process. Out of the 14 men accused in the plot, 9 have already pleaded guilty, and the remaining five are still awaiting trial.
This case sheds light on the complex nature of criminal trials and the importance of a fair and thorough judicial process. In this instance, the jury carefully considered the evidence presented before reaching their decision. While some may feel that justice has been served with the not guilty verdict, others may question the efficacy of the investigation and the role of the government in shaping the case.
As the legal proceedings continue for the remaining defendants, it remains to be seen how this high-profile case will impact the broader conversations surrounding political violence and the protection of public officials. The verdict serves as a reminder of the intricacies involved in criminal cases and the responsibility of the judicial system to uphold justice and fairness for all parties involved.
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