A jury convicted Adam Fox and Barry Croft Jr. of counts of conspiring to kidnap and conspiring to use a weapon of mass destruction. Croft was also found guilty of possession of an unregistered destructive device.
Andrew Birge, the lead prosecutor said “the verdict confirms this plot was very serious and dangerous” and was a true threat to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and her family.
“The defendants in this case believe their anti-government views justify violence,” said David Porter, FBI assistant special agent from Detroit. ” Today’s verdict is a clear example they were wrong in their assessment.”
Fox’s attorney Christopher Gibbeons said he would be pursuing “all avenues of relief” for his client, which includes filing with the U.S. Appellate court after the judge issues a judgement, which typically follows a sentencing.
Two men were found guilty of plotting to kidnap the Michigan governor.
“My client is disappointed by the verdict. It’s been a good fight, we’ve made it twice in a row, we were hoping for a different outcome today,” he said.
Both Gibbeons and Croft’s attorney Joshua Blanchard said their may be future legal moves in relation to the jury and a specific outstanding juror issue.
Both men were previously tried on conspiracy to kidnap charges earlier this year, but a jury failed to reach a verdict. Two other men charged with the same crimes were acquitted.
Croft and Fox’s conviction for conspiring to use a weapon of mass destruction after they had planned to bomb to blow up a bridge that would stymie police while they kidnaped Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
The governor released a statement after the verdict, thanking the prosecutors and police for their work. She also thanked her friends and family.
“My client is disappointed by the verdict. It’s been a good fight, we’ve made it twice in a row, we were hoping for a different outcome today,” said Christopher Gibbeons, who represented Adam Fox.
“Today’s verdicts prove that violence and threats have no place in our politics and those who seek to divide us will be held accountable. They will not succeed,” she said in a statement. “But we must also take a hard look at the status of our politics. Plots against public officials and threats to the FBI are a disturbing extension of radicalized domestic terrorism that festers in our nation, threatening the very foundation of our republic.
“I ran for office because I love my fellow Michiganders and my home state with all my heart. I always will. I cannot—I will not—let extremists get in the way of the work we do. They will never break my unwavering faith in the goodness and decency of our people.
“I will stay focused on getting things done for the people of Michigan.”
Source: Fox News
