A state appeals court in Detroit has overturned the convictions of two men linked to a 2020 plot to abduct Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Pete Musico and Paul Bellar had been found guilty of providing material support for an act of terrorism. They, along with co-defendant Joe Morrison, were accused of playing secondary roles in the conspiracy.
The court dismissed Morrison’s conviction in June, setting a precedent that led to Musico and Bellar’s cases being reviewed. The Michigan Court of Appeals cited technical reasons for the decision, stating that kidnapping does not qualify as an underlying violent felony under Michigan’s terrorism statutes.
“It’s linguistic gymnastics,” Attorney General Dana Nessel commented, indicating her intention to seek a review by the Michigan Supreme Court.
Morrison, Musico, and Bellar were not directly involved in the kidnap plot. Bellar had moved out of Michigan weeks before FBI arrests in October 2020. Morrison and Musico also claimed they had ceased communications with key conspirators.
The men had been part of a paramilitary group that trained with Adam Fox. Fox was prosecuted in federal court and received a 16-year sentence for conspiracy.
The plan aimed to abduct Whitmer from her vacation home before the 2020 presidential election. The conspirators were angered by the strict COVID-19 measures implemented by Whitmer and other officials, as well as by perceived threats to gun rights.
Governor Whitmer, a Democrat, remained unharmed. FBI agents and informants had infiltrated Fox’s group, preventing the plot. The investigation yielded mixed outcomes, with five of the 14 accused men acquitted during trials.
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