Gretchen Whitmer kidnap plot explained: 2 acquitted, mistrial for 2 others

The historic trial of Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s kidnap plot collapsed on Friday with US federal court acquitting two suspects and reaching a mistrial for the other two.

The jury’s decision definitely is a setback for the government which failed to convince the panel that four militia members were domestic terrorists determined to harm the governor because of her handling of the Covid-19 pandemic.

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Daniel Harris, 24, and Brandon Caserta, 33, were found not guilty of conspiracy, while the jury deadlocked on charges against Adam Fox and Barry Croft.

Following the decision, the US Attorneys office in Grand Rapids said it will retry the men, adding that the outcome was “obviously” disappointing. 

A major concern for Whitmer is that the result of the trial could  encourage future extremists.

“The plot to kidnap and kill a governor may seem like an anomaly. But we must be honest about what it really is: the result of violent, divisive rhetoric that is all too common across our country,” Whitmer stated. “There must be accountability and consequences for those who commit heinous crimes. Without accountability, extremists will be emboldened.”

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In 2020, the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) thwarted an alleged plot to abduct and overthrow the Democratic governor. The suspects allegedly planned to kidnap Whitmer and take her to a secure location in Wisconsin.

Federal authorities said at the time that more than dozen people were involved in the plot, some of who had links to an anti-government militia group called the ‘Wolverine Watchmen.’

Over several months, the accused planned to kidnap Whitmer from her cottage, drive her to the shoreline of Lake Michigan, put her in a boat, and either leave her stranded in the lake or transport her to Wisconsin to hang her as part of what they called a “treason trial.”

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However, the plans of kidnap failed as the FBI received some tip about an alleged plot following which the agency began monitoring a group of people. The surveillance began early in 2020 after the FBI became aware of discussions about the “the violent overthrow of certain government and law-enforcement components,” the agency said.

As the trial began, the courtroom heard testimony, evidence from undercover agents, a crucial informant and two men who pleaded guilty to the plot.

“There was no plan to kidnap the governor, and there was no agreement between these four men,” Joshua Blanchard, a lawyer for Croft, said in closing arguments, adding that the they were victims of entrapment and the FBI came up with the kidnap idea.