Whitmer kidnapping plot defense seeks to dismiss indictment

[Eugene]

Original reporting: Defense team in Whitmer kidnap plot case asks judge to toss indictment (Detroit News)

______________________________________________________________________

Source: Associated Press

Whitmer kidnapping plot defense seeks to dismiss indictment

December 26, 2021

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) — Defense attorneys want to dismiss the indictment against five men accused of plotting to kidnap Gov. Gretchen Whitmer because of what they described as “egregious overreaching” by federal agents and informants, according to a court filing.

In the 20-page motion, which was filed Saturday night, defense attorneys allege FBI agents and federal prosecutors invented a conspiracy and entrapped people who could face up to life in prison. They’re asking U.S. District Judge Robert Jonker to dismiss the conspiracy charge, which would effectively knock down the federal government’s case and other connected charges, according to The Detroit News.

The request comes after developments and claims about the government’s team, including the conviction of Richard Trask, an FBI special agent who was arrested on a domestic violence charge and later fired and convicted of a misdemeanor.

“Essentially, the evidence here demonstrates egregious overreaching by the government’s agents, and by the informants those agents handled,” defense attorneys wrote. “When the government was faced with evidence showing that the defendants had no interest in a kidnapping plot, it refused to accept failure and continued to push its plan.”

-snip-

Read more: https://apnews.com/article/michigan-gretchen-whitmer-kidnapping-grand-rapids-indictments-ad34603fac2364fa93cc9227b3a2ac92


FILE - This photo combo shows from top left, Kaleb Franks, Brandon Caserta, Adam Dean Fox, and bottom left, Daniel Harris, Barry Croft, and Ty Garbin. Defense attorneys have sought to dismiss the indictment against five men accused of plotting to kidnap Gov. Gretchen Whitmer because of what they describe as “egregious overreaching” by federal agents and informants. The Detroit News reports that defense attorneys filed a 20-page motion on Saturday, Dec. 25, 2021. (Kent County Sheriff via AP File)

[PTWB]

1. Sometimes these articles can be summed up rather succinctly.

"Defense attorney advocates for client(s)."

I hope these defendants are locked up for the maximum amount of time allowed by law if they are found guilty.

[Effete Snob]

2. There's always a motion to dismiss

The defense wouldn’t be doing their job if they didn’t file an initial motion to dismiss.

The success rate of such motions, across the board, is pretty low.

[Takket]

3. good luck with that

[Frustratedlady]

4. No way! They obviously spent a lot of time planning their attack.

I shuddered when I thought of what they probably had in that plan. The truth needs to come out to the public and these men need to pay if they are proven guilty. Their photos are enough to make one sick to their stomach.

I can't believe that their reasoning would have any effect on the case.

[onetexan]

8. Last ditch feeble effort to minimize and quash the case

To keep it from going to trial. Also a stalling tactic. The lawyers know it wont work but theyre probably trying to mimic the kyle rittenhouse case to win it in the court of public opinion.

[Swede]

5. Aren't those the guys that just launched the James Webb telescope?

I'm pretty sure.

[ProfessorGAC]

6. What Did That Guy...

...top row center do to his earlobes? Did he have 20# weights pierced in his ears at some point?
Also, there are some very punchable faces in that motley bunch.

[Progressive Jones]

7. Yep, it's just lawyers doing their job. It won't fly. nt