{"id":2033422,"date":"2023-09-15T14:20:02","date_gmt":"2023-09-15T18:20:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/3-acquitted-in-connection-with-plot-to-kidnap-kill-michigan-governor\/"},"modified":"2023-09-15T14:23:07","modified_gmt":"2023-09-15T18:23:07","slug":"3-acquitted-in-connection-with-plot-to-kidnap-kill-michigan-governor","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/3-acquitted-in-connection-with-plot-to-kidnap-kill-michigan-governor\/","title":{"rendered":"3 individuals acquitted in Michigan Governor kidnapping and murder plot."},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">20<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2F3-acquitted-in-connection-with-plot-to-kidnap-kill-michigan-governor%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2033422&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><blockquote>\n<div data-post-content=\"true\" class=\"post_content\" id=\"post_content\">\n<p>The last three men to stand trial \u2063in the case related to the alleged attempt to kidnap and kill Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D-Mich.) have been acquitted.<\/p>\n<p>After \u2063a three-week\u200c trial, the jury, \u2064which deliberated for about a day, found Michael\u200d Null and his twin brother, William Null, and Eric Molitor \u200dnot guilty on Sept. 15 \u200bof <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/man-charged-with-aiding-whitmer-kidnap-plot-says-he-should-have-called-police\/\" title=\"Man aiding Whitmer kidnap plot admits he should've called police.\">providing\u200c material support<\/a> for\u200c terrorist acts and firearm charges.<\/p>\n<p>Each of the two state charges are felonies.<\/p>\n<div class=\"shortcode\">\n<div class=\"border-comp-divider mb-4 mr-4 w-full max-w-[500px] border px-5 py-4 text-[16px] leading-[20px] text-[#262626] md:float-left\" id=\"in_article_related_stories\">\n<div class=\"mb-3 font-sans text-[16px] font-semibold uppercase leading-[19px] text-[#2F2F2F]\">Related Stories<\/div>\n<div class=\"mb-4 flex gap-2\">\n<div class=\"grow\">\n<div class=\"mb-1 line-clamp-2\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/us\/man-charged-with-aiding-whitmer-kidnap-plot-says-he-should-have-called-police-5489855\">Man Charged With Aiding Whitmer Kidnap Plot Says\u200d He\u200b Should\u2064 Have Called Police<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"text-comp-caption text-[14px] leading-[18px]\">9\/11\/2023<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"shrink-0 basis-[120px]\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/us\/man-charged-with-aiding-whitmer-kidnap-plot-says-he-should-have-called-police-5489855\"><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"mb-4 flex gap-2\">\n<div class=\"grow\">\n<div class=\"mb-1 line-clamp-2\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/us\/a-man-charged-with-aiding-michigan-gov-whitmer-kidnap-plot-says-the-scheme-didnt-seem-serious-5488008\">A Man Charged With \u200bAiding Michigan Gov. Whitmer Kidnap Plot Says the Scheme Didn\u2019t Seem Serious<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"text-comp-caption text-[14px] leading-[18px]\">9\/7\/2023<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"shrink-0 basis-[120px]\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/us\/a-man-charged-with-aiding-michigan-gov-whitmer-kidnap-plot-says-the-scheme-didnt-seem-serious-5488008\"><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Prosecutor James Rossiter told the jury\u2064 in closing\u2062 arguments on Sept. 14 that the three men sought to aid and abet\u00a0&#8220;bring[ing] \u2062 terrorism to Antrim County.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;If you&#8217;re going to help somebody, knowing that they planned a terrorist act,\u200d that&#8217;s wrong,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<p>William Barnett, Mr. Molitor&#8217;s attorney, \u2062told the jury during closing arguments \u2062that the prosecution was desperate to prove wrongdoing.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;This \u200bthing just became a good story they couldn&#8217;t back out\u200d of,&#8221;\u200b he said. &#8220;They&#8217;re here pulling the shortcuts to try to get somebody convicted, an innocent person.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div class=\"post-figure\" style=\"margin-left:0;margin-right:0;max-width:1200px\">\n<figure style=\"width:640px;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto\" class=\"alignnone\"><figcaption>(Left) Eric Molitor. \u200c(Center) Michael Null. (Right) William Null. (Antrim County Sheriff&#8217;s\u2064 Office via AP)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>In the trials of the 14 men accused of plotting \u2064to \u2063kidnap \u200bMs. 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,\u2064 the number \u2064of those found not guilty in the alleged plot is now five.<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-5\">\n<p>The plot began amid Ms. Whitmer coming under fire for heavily-restrictive policies\u200d during the COVID-19 pandemic.<\/p>\n<h2>Other Outcomes<\/h2>\n<p>Mr. Fox is serving a 16-year federal prison sentence. Joseph Morrison was sentenced to 10 to 20 years in federal \u200cprison. Ty Garbin is serving a 30-month federal prison sentence.\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Barry Croft is serving \u2062a federal prison sentence of \u200c19 years and seven \u2062months. Kaleb\u2063 Franks was sentenced to \u200cfour years in federal prison. Pete Musico is serving 12 to 20 years in federal prison. Paul Bellar was sentenced to seven to 20 years\u2063 in federal\u2064 prison.<\/p>\n<p>The \u200bEpoch Times has reached out to Ms. Whitmer&#8217;s office for her reaction to the latest acquittals.<\/p>\n<p>In a statement, Michigan Attorney\u200b General\u2063 Dana Nessel expressed disappointment but\u2062 sought to put\u200c a positive spin on the verdicts.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhile today\u2019s\u200b verdicts\u200c are not what we hoped for, the successes we have achieved throughout these cases, in both state and federal courts, sends a clear message \u2063that acts of domestic terrorism will not be tolerated in our state,\u201d she\u200d said.<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-5\">\n<p>&#8220;We\u00a0remain committed \u2062to combatting acts of domestic terrorism, and \u200bthe proactive work on this <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/3-acquitted-in-connection-with-plot-to-kidnap-kill-michigan-governor\/\" title=\"3 individuals acquitted in Michigan Governor kidnapping and murder plot.\">joint action undoubtedly saved lives<\/a>,&#8221; continued Ms. Nessel, who \u200dsaid in March\u2064 that \u2063 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/us\/michigan-attorney-general-says-she-was-a-target-in-plot-to-kill-jewish-elected-officials-5094722\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">she was a target<\/a> of an\u200c assassination plot. \u200c&#8221;I am grateful for the exemplary efforts of all involved at \u2064the \u200clocal, state and federal level.\u201d\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p> <\/p>\n<h2> What can we learn from this high-profile\u2063 case about the importance of thorough investigations and reliable evidence\u200b in cases involving serious allegations<\/h2>\n<p><span> <\/p>\n<p>The last three\u2062 men \u2062to stand trial in \u200bthe case related to the alleged attempt\u2062 to kidnap and kill Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D-Mich.) have\u200b been acquitted. After a three-week trial, the jury, which deliberated for about a day, found\u2062 Michael \u2063Null \u2063and\u2063 his\u2064 twin brother, William Null, and Eric Molitor not guilty on Sept. 15 of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/actblue-facilitating-donations-to-terror-tied-charity-legal-group-says\/\" title=\"ActBlue Facilitating Donations to Terror-Tied Charity, Legal Group Says\">providing material support<\/a> for terrorist acts and firearm charges. Each of the two state charges are \u2064felonies.<\/p>\n<p>Prosecutor James Rossiter told the \u200djury in closing arguments on Sept. 14 that the three men sought to aid and abet &#8220;bringing terrorism to Antrim County.&#8221;\u2063 He said, &#8220;If you&#8217;re going to help somebody, \u200cknowing\u200c that they planned a\u200c terrorist\u200b act, that&#8217;s wrong.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>William Barnett, Mr. Molitor&#8217;s attorney, told the jury during closing arguments that the \u2064prosecution was\u200c desperate to prove wrongdoing. He \u200dsaid, &#8220;This thing just became a good\u200c story they couldn&#8217;t back out\u200d of. They&#8217;re here pulling the shortcuts to try to\u2062 get somebody convicted, an innocent person.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>This\u200d case has \u2062garnered \u2064significant attention due to\u2064 its <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/hunter-biden-plea-federal-judge-leaves-courtroom-as-plea-deal-hearing-stalled\/\" title=\"Federal judge exits courtroom as plea deal hearing for Hunter Biden comes to a halt.\">high-profile\u2062 nature<\/a> and the serious allegations made against \u2063the defendants. The defendants were accused of planning to\u2062 kidnap Gov.\u200d Whitmer and potentially harm or kill her. The \u200ccharges against them included providing \u2062material support for terrorist acts and firearm charges.<\/p>\n<p>The acquittal of\u200c Michael Null, William Null, and Eric Molitor raises questions about the strength \u200bof the prosecution&#8217;s case and the evidence presented. It is \u200bthe jury&#8217;s responsibility to carefully consider the evidence and \u200ddetermine the guilt or innocence of the defendants. In \u200bthis case, the jury found that the prosecution did not\u2062 provide enough evidence to prove the charges \u2062beyond a reasonable doubt.<\/p>\n<p>The defense attorneys \u2062argued that\u2063 the prosecution&#8217;s case was\u200c based on weak evidence and unreliable \u2063witnesses. They accused the\u200b prosecution of attempting to force \u2064a conviction without sufficient evidence. The defense also questioned the \u200bmotives of the witnesses and\u200d suggested that they had\u2063 personal agendas or biases that influenced\u200d their testimony.<\/p>\n<p>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 \u2064them guilty based on the evidence presented in court. The \u200dburden of proof is on \u200dthe prosecution, \u2064and they\u200c must prove\u200b the charges beyond a reasonable doubt.<\/p>\n<p>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 \u2064thorough investigations and reliable evidence in cases\u200b involving serious\u2063 allegations.<\/p>\n<p>As with any high-profile \u2063case, there are differing opinions \u200cand interpretations of the verdict. Some may feel that justice \u200bhas been \u200dserved, while others \u200cmay question the outcome and believe\u2063 that the defendants should \u2064have \u200cbeen \u2062found guilty. It is important \u2062to remember that the legal system is designed to ensure a \u2064fair \u2062trial and protect the rights of the accused.<\/p>\n<p>Moving forward, it will be necessary \u2064to analyze the trial and its outcome to \u2062identify\u2064 any potential flaws in the investigation or prosecution. Lessons can be learned from \u2064this case to improve the justice system and prevent similar issues from arising in the future.<\/p>\n<p>In conclusion, the acquittal of\u200d Michael Null, William Null, and Eric \u200bMolitor \u200din the case related to the \u200dalleged attempt to kidnap\u2062 and kill Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has raised questions about the strength\u2064 of the\u200d prosecution&#8217;s case and the evidence presented. The jury found the defendants\u2062 not guilty of \u2062providing material support for terrorist acts and firearm charges. This case serves as \u2062a\u2062 reminder of the importance of a fair and impartial legal system, where \u200cguilt or innocence is determined\u200b based on \u2063evidence and the law.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The trial for the alleged plot to kidnap and kill Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D-Mich.) concluded with the acquittal of the last three defendants. Following a three-week trial, the jury deliberated for a day before finding Michael Null, William Null, and Eric Molitor not guilty on Sept. 15.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1797,"featured_media":2033423,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[543],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2033422","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-epoch-times"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2033422","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1797"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2033422"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2033422\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2033423"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2033422"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2033422"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2033422"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}