In a notable development, a state appeals court in Michigan overturned convictions for Pete Musico and Paul Bellar on Monday. They were linked to a 2020 plot to abduct Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Musico and Bellar were originally convicted of providing material support for an act of terrorism. However, their roles were secondary in this scheme, alongside Joe Morrison.
A precedent-setting decision in June had already set aside Morrison’s conviction. The Michigan Court of Appeals, citing this earlier decision, applied the same reasoning to Musico and Bellar’s cases. The court overturned these convictions on technical grounds. It ruled that kidnapping does not qualify as an underlying violent felony that can lead to a conviction under Michigan’s terrorism law.
Attorney General Dana Nessel criticized this decision as “linguistic gymnastics” and announced intentions to seek intervention from the Michigan Supreme Court.
Musico, Bellar, and Morrison were never charged with directly carrying out the plan to kidnap Whitmer. Bellar had relocated from Michigan weeks before the FBI made related arrests in October 2020. Meanwhile, Musico and Morrison distanced themselves from key plot members during that period. Despite the charges, all three were part of a paramilitary group that trained in the past with Adam Fox. Fox was identified as a leader and is serving a 16-year prison sentence for conspiracy.
The plot aimed to kidnap Whitmer from her vacation home in the lead-up to the 2020 presidential election. Prosecutors noted conspirators were angry about strict COVID-19 measures enacted by Whitmer and other officials, as well as perceived threats to firearm ownership rights.
Governor Whitmer was not harmed, as the plot was thwarted by undercover FBI agents and informants embedded within the group. Though the investigation was extensive, it yielded varied outcomes for law enforcement. Among 14 suspects, five were acquitted during trials.