Trial begins for alleged plot to kidnap Michigan Democrat Governor Whitmer

Opening arguments in the trial for four men charged with plotting to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer began Wednesday with defense attorneys attempting to portray their clients as braggarts incapable of pulling off such a crime and arguing that the men were entrapped by the FBI.

Defense attorney Christopher Gibbons told jurors in a federal courtroom in Grand Rapids that defendant Adam Fox was practically homeless, living in the basement of a shop basement and brushing his teeth in a restaurant restroom, not a mastermind of the 2020 plot as prosecutors allege, according to the Associated Press. 

Brandon Caserta's defense attorney Mike Hills also argued that his client never planned to kidnap Whitmer, nor did he agree to be part of any plot to do so, the Detroit Free Press reported.

Defendant Daniel Harris, 23, was described by his attorney Julia Kelly as being immature and inappropriate.

Prosecutors say Fox, Caserta, Harris, and Barry Croft Jr. hatched the plot to kidnap the Democrat governor because of what they considered her over-restrictive COVID-19 mandates.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Roth said during his opening statement the men's actions went beyond talking – having recruited militia and prepared to break into Whitmer’s home, tie her up and take her.

They also planned to blow up a bridge to stop police from catching them, he said, referring to investigators purportedly having intervened when the defendants acquired a bomb to blow up the bridge near the governor's home, the wire service also reports. 

Jurors are also expected to hear from two men – Ty Garbin and Kaleb Franks – who pleaded guilty to the conspiracy and will testify for the government.