MI - 14 men charged in plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Oct 2020 *8 guilty, 5 NG*

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  • #721
www.news4jax.com

Informant's Army past raised at trial tied to Whitmer plot

A defense lawyer lashed out at a star witness in a trial related to a plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
www.news4jax.com www.news4jax.com

Oct. 13, 2022
A defense lawyer lashed out Thursday at a star witness in a trial related to a plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, accusing the Army veteran of “stolen valor” and questioning why he wasn't given a Purple Heart if he was truly injured in Iraq.

The ruckus broke out in front of jurors and continued after they were excused. Defense attorneys and prosecutors raised their voices over each other. At one point, an FBI agent firmly told lawyer Leonard Ballard to “back up, please.”

“Judge, it's literally hurting my ears. I just can't listen to it anymore,” state Assistant Attorney General Sunita Doddamani pleaded.

The commotion occurred on the ninth day of trial in Jackson, Michigan, where three members of a paramilitary group, the Wolverine Watchmen, are charged with providing material support for a terrorist act.
[.....]
Just like in the federal case, a crucial witness against the three men is Dan Chappel. He agreed in 2020 to become an informant, embedding himself for months inside the Watchmen after reporting to the FBI that the group talked chillingly about attacking police.
[.....]
“This witness can’t get away with misrepresenting his conduct, his service, his valor — which I would argue is stolen valor in this matter — to these 15 people," Ballard said of the jury.

Assistant Attorney General Bill Rollstin fired back, accusing Ballard of "besmirching this man’s integrity.”

“What's (Ballard's) point: He does or doesn't have a Purple Heart so now you shouldn’t believe his testimony?” Rollstin asked.

Judge Thomas Wilson said Chappel would get an opportunity Friday to more fully explain his injuries to the jury.
 
  • #722
Friday, October 14th:
*Trial continues for all (Day 8) (State case-Jackson County) (@ am CT) - MI – Plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer – *Paul Edward Bellar (21/now 23) of Milford arrested & charged (10/7/20) & arraigned (10/20/20) with gang membership, providing material support for terrorism & carrying or possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony. Was arrested in Columbia, SC & Michigan attempting to have him extradited to Michigan. $500K Cash Surety Bond. Bond reduced to $75K (12/18/20) with restrictions. Bond @ $150K (3/29/21). Out on bond.
*Charged (5/17/21) in Circuit Court with terrorist acts-provide MA, gang membership felonies & felony firearms.
*Joseph Matthew Morrison (26/now 28) of Munith arrested & charged (10/7/20) & arraigned (10/9/20) with threat of terrorism (charge was dismissed on 3/29/21), gang membership, providing material support for terrorist acts & carrying or possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony. Bail set at $10M. Bond reduced (12/18/20) to $75K with restrictions.
*Charged (5/17/21) in Circuit Court with terrorist acts-provide MA, gang membership felonies & felony firearms. Bond reduced (12/20/21) to $5K Cash/Surety providing he will wear a GPS tether. Out on bond.
*Pete Musico (42/now 43) of Munith arrested & charged (10/7/20) & arraigned (10/9/20) with threat of terrorism (charge was dismissed on 3/29/21), gang membership, providing material support for terrorist act & carrying or possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony. Bail set at $10M. Bond reduced (12/18/20) to $100K with restrictions. Out of jail.
*Charged (5/17/21) in Circuit Court with terrorist acts-provide MA, gang membership felonies & felony firearms.
Trial began on 10/3/22 with jury selection & ended 10/4/22. Trial began on 10/5/22. (2 weeks). Judge Thomas Wilson presiding.
Court info from 10/8/20 thru 8/9/22 & Jury Selection Day 1-2 (10/3 to 10/4/22) & Trial Day 1-6 (10/5 to 10/12/22) reference post #720 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...rnor-gretchen-whitmer-oct-2020.546457/page-36
10/13/22 Thursday, Trial Day 7: State witness: Undercover FBI informant Dan “Big Dan” Chappel. Will be back on stand on Friday.
for more info see post #721 (article) here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...whitmer-oct-2020-4-guilty-2-ng.546457/page-37
Trial continues on 10/14/22.
Musico & Morrison are founding members of the Wolverine Watchmen. Morrison is considered Watchmen’s “Commander” & is known by the online moniker “Boogaloo Bunyan”.
 
  • #723
mlive.com

Juror accused of flirting with defendant dismissed from Whitmer kidnapping trial

Concerns that the young woman was smiling and looking at one of the defendants too often were brought before the judge earlier this week. “I decided its safer to err on the side of caution," the judge said.
mlive.com mlive.com

As proceedings continued Friday morning in the jury trial of Joseph Morrison, Pete Musico and Paul Bellar, Judge Thomas Wilson announced that a young woman has been removed from the jury. The decision comes two days after attorneys raised concerns said juror was having too much non-verbal communication with Bellar.
 
  • #724
Thanks for that article @JerseyGirl - any articles for Friday's trial - all I see are for Thursday.

TIA! :)

edited to add - I know Dan Chappel was to return on the stand Friday - any other witnesses?
 
  • #725
Niner said:
Thanks for that article @JerseyGirl - any articles for Friday's trial - all I see are for Thursday.

TIA! :)

edited to add - I know Dan Chappel was to return on the stand Friday - any other witnesses?
Click to expand...

www.freep.com

Defense goes after record of FBI informant in Whitmer kidnapping plot

The defense hopes to create doubt in the jurors' minds about state's case and show that the FBI had a hand in directing what unfolded.
www.freep.com

Defense attorneys in the state case against three men who the prosecution has accused of joining in a plot to kidnap Gov. Gretchen Whitmer continued to challenge the testimony of Big Dan, the FBI's confidential source — an Army veteran — by going after his record and suggesting he was more than an informant.

Jurors also heard from a property manager of a mobile home park where Bellar lived, a Mount Morris Twp. sergeant, and another FBI agent, who testified concerns raised about Bellar and the Wolverine Watchmen, but, after investigation, were unaware any laws had been broken.

More testimony is expected Monday.
 
  • #726
JerseyGirl said:
mlive.com

Juror accused of flirting with defendant dismissed from Whitmer kidnapping trial

Concerns that the young woman was smiling and looking at one of the defendants too often were brought before the judge earlier this week. “I decided its safer to err on the side of caution," the judge said.
mlive.com mlive.com

As proceedings continued Friday morning in the jury trial of Joseph Morrison, Pete Musico and Paul Bellar, Judge Thomas Wilson announced that a young woman has been removed from the jury. The decision comes two days after attorneys raised concerns said juror was having too much non-verbal communication with Bellar.
Click to expand...

Sounds like the right decision
 
  • #727
  • #728
  • #729
  • #730
Monday, October 17th:
*Trial continues for all (Day 9) (State case-Jackson County) (@ am CT) - MI – Plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer – *Paul Edward Bellar (21/now 23) of Milford arrested & charged (10/7/20) & arraigned (10/20/20) with gang membership, providing material support for terrorism & carrying or possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony. Was arrested in Columbia, SC & Michigan attempting to have him extradited to Michigan. $500K Cash Surety Bond. Bond reduced to $75K (12/18/20) with restrictions. Bond @ $150K (3/29/21). Out on bond.
*Charged (5/17/21) in Circuit Court with terrorist acts-provide MA, gang membership felonies & felony firearms.
*Joseph Matthew Morrison (26/now 28) of Munith arrested & charged (10/7/20) & arraigned (10/9/20) with threat of terrorism (charge was dismissed on 3/29/21), gang membership, providing material support for terrorist acts & carrying or possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony. Bail set at $10M. Bond reduced (12/18/20) to $75K with restrictions.
*Charged (5/17/21) in Circuit Court with terrorist acts-provide MA, gang membership felonies & felony firearms. Bond reduced (12/20/21) to $5K Cash/Surety providing he will wear a GPS tether. Out on bond.
*Pete Musico (42/now 43) of Munith arrested & charged (10/7/20) & arraigned (10/9/20) with threat of terrorism (charge was dismissed on 3/29/21), gang membership, providing material support for terrorist act & carrying or possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony. Bail set at $10M. Bond reduced (12/18/20) to $100K with restrictions. Out of jail.
*Charged (5/17/21) in Circuit Court with terrorist acts-provide MA, gang membership felonies & felony firearms.
Trial began on 10/3/22 with jury selection & ended 10/4/22. Trial began on 10/5/22. (2 weeks). Judge Thomas Wilson presiding. One juror was excused on 10/14/22.
Court info from 10/8/20 thru 8/9/22 & Jury Selection Day 1-2 (10/3 to 10/4/22) & Trial Day 1-7 (10/5 to 10/13/22) reference post #722 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...rnor-gretchen-whitmer-oct-2020.546457/page-37
10/14/22 Friday, Trial Day 8: Judge Thomas Wilson announced that a young woman has been removed from the jury. The decision comes two days after attorneys raised concerns said juror was having too much non-verbal communication with Bellar. “It didn’t just happen on one day -- it happened over multiple days,” Wilson said of the juror’s behavior. “I decided it’s safer to err on the side of caution.” Judge Wilson added that he has never seen behavior like this in nearly 35 years of practicing law. The juror took Wilson’s decision well, he said.
State witness: Undercover FBI informant Dan “Big Dan” Chappel, continues on stand. Jurors also heard from a property manager of a mobile home park where Bellar lived, a Mount Morris Twp. sergeant, & another FBI agent, who testified concerns raised about Bellar & the Wolverine Watchmen, but, after investigation, were unaware any laws had been broken.
for more info see posts #723 & 725 (articles) here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...whitmer-oct-2020-4-guilty-2-ng.546457/page-37
Trial continues on Monday, 10/17/22.
Musico & Morrison are founding members of the Wolverine Watchmen. Morrison is considered Watchmen’s “Commander” & is known by the online moniker “Boogaloo Bunyan”.
 
  • #731
Unfortunately, not finding any articles on what happened yesterday. Maybe @JerseyGirl has better luck than me... :)

Tuesday, October 18th:
*Trial continues for all (Day 10) (State case-Jackson County) (@ am CT) - MI – Plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer – *Paul Edward Bellar (21/now 23) of Milford arrested & charged (10/7/20) & arraigned (10/20/20) with gang membership, providing material support for terrorism & carrying or possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony. Was arrested in Columbia, SC & Michigan attempting to have him extradited to Michigan. $500K Cash Surety Bond. Bond reduced to $75K (12/18/20) with restrictions. Bond @ $150K (3/29/21). Out on bond.
*Charged (5/17/21) in Circuit Court with terrorist acts-provide MA, gang membership felonies & felony firearms.
*Joseph Matthew Morrison (26/now 28) of Munith arrested & charged (10/7/20) & arraigned (10/9/20) with threat of terrorism (charge was dismissed on 3/29/21), gang membership, providing material support for terrorist acts & carrying or possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony. Bail set at $10M. Bond reduced (12/18/20) to $75K with restrictions.
*Charged (5/17/21) in Circuit Court with terrorist acts-provide MA, gang membership felonies & felony firearms. Bond reduced (12/20/21) to $5K Cash/Surety providing he will wear a GPS tether. Out on bond.
*Pete Musico (42/now 43) of Munith arrested & charged (10/7/20) & arraigned (10/9/20) with threat of terrorism (charge was dismissed on 3/29/21), gang membership, providing material support for terrorist act & carrying or possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony. Bail set at $10M. Bond reduced (12/18/20) to $100K with restrictions. Out of jail.
*Charged (5/17/21) in Circuit Court with terrorist acts-provide MA, gang membership felonies & felony firearms.
Trial began on 10/3/22 with jury selection & ended 10/4/22. Trial began on 10/5/22. (2 weeks). Judge Thomas Wilson presiding. One juror was excused on 10/14/22.
Court info from 10/8/20 thru 8/9/22 & Jury Selection Day 1-2 (10/3 to 10/4/22) & Trial Day 1-8 (10/5 to 10/14/22) reference post #730 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...rnor-gretchen-whitmer-oct-2020.546457/page-37
10/17/22 Monday, Trial Day 9: State witness: No info available. Trial continues on Tuesday, 10/18/22.
Musico & Morrison are founding members of the Wolverine Watchmen. Morrison is considered Watchmen’s “Commander” & is known by the online moniker “Boogaloo Bunyan”.
 
  • #732
Niner said:
Unfortunately, not finding any articles on what happened yesterday. Maybe @JerseyGirl has better luck than me... :)

Tuesday, October 18th:
*Trial continues for all (Day 10) (State case-Jackson County) (@ am CT) - MI – Plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer – *Paul Edward Bellar (21/now 23) of Milford arrested & charged (10/7/20) & arraigned (10/20/20) with gang membership, providing material support for terrorism & carrying or possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony. Was arrested in Columbia, SC & Michigan attempting to have him extradited to Michigan. $500K Cash Surety Bond. Bond reduced to $75K (12/18/20) with restrictions. Bond @ $150K (3/29/21). Out on bond.
*Charged (5/17/21) in Circuit Court with terrorist acts-provide MA, gang membership felonies & felony firearms.
*Joseph Matthew Morrison (26/now 28) of Munith arrested & charged (10/7/20) & arraigned (10/9/20) with threat of terrorism (charge was dismissed on 3/29/21), gang membership, providing material support for terrorist acts & carrying or possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony. Bail set at $10M. Bond reduced (12/18/20) to $75K with restrictions.
*Charged (5/17/21) in Circuit Court with terrorist acts-provide MA, gang membership felonies & felony firearms. Bond reduced (12/20/21) to $5K Cash/Surety providing he will wear a GPS tether. Out on bond.
*Pete Musico (42/now 43) of Munith arrested & charged (10/7/20) & arraigned (10/9/20) with threat of terrorism (charge was dismissed on 3/29/21), gang membership, providing material support for terrorist act & carrying or possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony. Bail set at $10M. Bond reduced (12/18/20) to $100K with restrictions. Out of jail.
*Charged (5/17/21) in Circuit Court with terrorist acts-provide MA, gang membership felonies & felony firearms.
Trial began on 10/3/22 with jury selection & ended 10/4/22. Trial began on 10/5/22. (2 weeks). Judge Thomas Wilson presiding. One juror was excused on 10/14/22.
Court info from 10/8/20 thru 8/9/22 & Jury Selection Day 1-2 (10/3 to 10/4/22) & Trial Day 1-8 (10/5 to 10/14/22) reference post #730 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...rnor-gretchen-whitmer-oct-2020.546457/page-37
10/17/22 Monday, Trial Day 9: State witness: No info available. Trial continues on Tuesday, 10/18/22.
Musico & Morrison are founding members of the Wolverine Watchmen. Morrison is considered Watchmen’s “Commander” & is known by the online moniker “Boogaloo Bunyan”.
Click to expand...

The state's Gov. Gretchen Whitmer kidnap plot trial in Jackson unexpectedly adjourned Monday because one of the defense attorneys is ill. It is expected to resume later this week, a court official said.

www.freep.com

Illness causes Whitmer kidnap plot trial to temporarily adjourn, a juror is dismissed

The trial has been filled with twists including dismissal of a juror because she appeared have been flirting with one of the defendants, the judge said.
www.freep.com
 
  • #733
JerseyGirl said:
The state's Gov. Gretchen Whitmer kidnap plot trial in Jackson unexpectedly adjourned Monday because one of the defense attorneys is ill. It is expected to resume later this week, a court official said.

www.freep.com

Illness causes Whitmer kidnap plot trial to temporarily adjourn, a juror is dismissed

The trial has been filled with twists including dismissal of a juror because she appeared have been flirting with one of the defendants, the judge said.
www.freep.com
Click to expand...

Ah - that is why I couldn't find anything! Thanks for the info!


edited - there is another trial that got stopped yesterday also - juror has covid - they will be back on Monday. Procopio trial.

Wish they had given a date for this trial when they will resume. Later this week - so maybe Thursday or Friday?
 
  • #734
  • #735
Since I can not find any updates on whether the trial resumes today like the article above says - I shall go ahead & post this.

Friday, October 21st:
*Trial continues for all (Day 9) (State case-Jackson County) (@ am CT) - MI – Plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer – *Paul Edward Bellar (21/now 23) of Milford arrested & charged (10/7/20) & arraigned (10/20/20) with gang membership, providing material support for terrorism & carrying or possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony. Was arrested in Columbia, SC & Michigan attempting to have him extradited to Michigan. $500K Cash Surety Bond. Bond reduced to $75K (12/18/20) with restrictions. Bond @ $150K (3/29/21). Out on bond.
*Charged (5/17/21) in Circuit Court with terrorist acts-provide MA, gang membership felonies & felony firearms.
*Joseph Matthew Morrison (26/now 28) of Munith arrested & charged (10/7/20) & arraigned (10/9/20) with threat of terrorism (charge was dismissed on 3/29/21), gang membership, providing material support for terrorist acts & carrying or possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony. Bail set at $10M. Bond reduced (12/18/20) to $75K with restrictions.
*Charged (5/17/21) in Circuit Court with terrorist acts-provide MA, gang membership felonies & felony firearms. Bond reduced (12/20/21) to $5K Cash/Surety providing he will wear a GPS tether. Out on bond.
*Pete Musico (42/now 43) of Munith arrested & charged (10/7/20) & arraigned (10/9/20) with threat of terrorism (charge was dismissed on 3/29/21), gang membership, providing material support for terrorist act & carrying or possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony. Bail set at $10M. Bond reduced (12/18/20) to $100K with restrictions. Out of jail.
*Charged (5/17/21) in Circuit Court with terrorist acts-provide MA, gang membership felonies & felony firearms.
Trial began on 10/3/22 with jury selection & ended 10/4/22. Trial began on 10/5/22. (2 weeks). Judge Thomas Wilson presiding. One juror was excused on 10/14/22.
Court info from 10/8/20 thru 8/9/22 & Jury Selection Day 1-2 (10/3 to 10/4/22) & Trial Day 1-8 (10/5 to 10/14/22; no trial on 10/17-10/19/22) reference post #730 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...rnor-gretchen-whitmer-oct-2020.546457/page-37
10/17/22 Monday, Trial: State witness: Whitmer kidnap plot trial in Jackson unexpectedly adjourned Monday because one of the defense attorneys is ill. It is expected to resume later this week. Trial continues hopefully on Friday, 10/21/22.
Musico & Morrison are founding members of the Wolverine Watchmen. Morrison is considered Watchmen’s “Commander” & is known by the online moniker “Boogaloo Bunyan”.
 
  • #736
@Niner

www.woodtv.com

Trial testimony ends for 3 tied to Gov. Whitmer kidnap plot

Prosecutors and defense lawyers rested their case Friday in the trial of three men charged with assisting the 2020 plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
www.woodtv.com www.woodtv.com

Prosecutors and defense lawyers rested their case Friday in the trial of three men charged with assisting the 2020 plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

An undercover FBI agent, Mark Schweers, told jurors that leader Adam Fox talked favorably about the Wolverine Watchmen, a paramilitary group whose members included Joe Morrison, Pete Musico and Paul Bellar.

The last witness for prosecutors was a gas station attendant who said Musico and Morrison regularly complained about the Democratic governor and her COVID-19 restrictions and wanted to harm her back in 2020.

“She’s a Nazi. She’s a tyrant,” Shawn Toth said, quoting the two.

The trial resumed Friday following a four-day suspension for an illness among the defense lawyers.

Morrison, Musico and Bellar chose not to testify. Defense attorneys briefly called a state police officer and recalled an FBI agent before resting their side of the case. Closing arguments were scheduled for Monday.
 
  • #737
This morning I found 5 different articles on Friday's session & they ALL say the same exact thing. Still trying to find the names of the defense witnesses who testified, but they ALL say the same thing...

Defense attorneys briefly called a state police officer & recalled an FBI agent before resting their side of the case.

:rolleyes:
 
  • #738
Monday, October 24th:
*Trial continues for all (Day 10)-Closing Arguments (State case-Jackson County) (@ am CT) - MI – Plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer – *Paul Edward Bellar (21/now 24) of Milford arrested & charged (10/7/20) & arraigned (10/20/20) with gang membership, providing material support for terrorism & carrying or possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony. Was arrested in Columbia, SC & Michigan attempting to have him extradited to Michigan. $500K Cash Surety Bond. Bond reduced to $75K (12/18/20) with restrictions. Bond @ $150K (3/29/21). Out on bond.
*Charged (5/17/21) in Circuit Court with terrorist acts-provide MA, gang membership felonies & felony firearms.
*Joseph Matthew Morrison (26/now 28) of Munith arrested & charged (10/7/20) & arraigned (10/9/20) with threat of terrorism (charge was dismissed on 3/29/21), gang membership, providing material support for terrorist acts & carrying or possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony. Bail set at $10M. Bond reduced (12/18/20) to $75K with restrictions.
*Charged (5/17/21) in Circuit Court with terrorist acts-provide MA, gang membership felonies & felony firearms. Bond reduced (12/20/21) to $5K Cash/Surety providing he will wear a GPS tether. Out on bond.
*Pete Musico (42/now 44) of Munith arrested & charged (10/7/20) & arraigned (10/9/20) with threat of terrorism (charge was dismissed on 3/29/21), gang membership, providing material support for terrorist act & carrying or possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony. Bail set at $10M. Bond reduced (12/18/20) to $100K with restrictions. Out of jail.
*Charged (5/17/21) in Circuit Court with terrorist acts-provide MA, gang membership felonies & felony firearms.
Trial began on 10/3/22 with jury selection & ended 10/4/22. Trial began on 10/5/22 & ended on 10/21/22. Judge Thomas Wilson presiding. One juror was excused on 10/14/22.
Court info from 10/8/20 thru 8/9/22 & Jury Selection Day 1-2 (10/3 to 10/4/22) & Trial Day 1-8 (10/5 to 10/14/22; no trial on 10/17-10/19/22) reference post #735 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...rnor-gretchen-whitmer-oct-2020.546457/page-37
10/21/22 Friday, Trial Day 9: State witness: Undercover FBI agent Mark Schweers. Shawn Toth, gas station attendant. Prosecutors rested their case. Morrison, Musico & Bellar chose not to testify. Defense attorneys briefly called a state police officer & recalled an FBI agent before resting their side of the case.
for more info see post #736 (article) here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...whitmer-oct-2020-4-guilty-2-ng.546457/page-37
Closing arguments were scheduled for Monday, 10/24/22.
Musico & Morrison are founding members of the Wolverine Watchmen. Morrison is considered Watchmen’s “Commander” & is known by the online moniker “Boogaloo Bunyan”.
 
  • #739
  • #740
IMHO I don't know how the six of these guys sitting around talking about doing this could ever have thought it was a cool idea! "I'm tired" I'm frustrated" so let's kidnap the gov. Disturbing.
 
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