Defense Rests after Challenging Agents at Whitmer Plot Trial

Lawyers to represent two people charged with plotting to kidnap the Michigan Governor. Gretchen Whitmer called investigators to the witness stand Friday to try to raise questions about their tactics in 2020 and highlight scornful attitudes.

The defense ended its case after the ninth day. The closing arguments are scheduled to take place Monday at Grand Rapids Federal Court, Michigan.

Adam Fox Jr. and Barry Croft Jr. refused to testify. After a jury failed to reach an unanimous verdict in April, but it acquitted two others, they are now on trial again.

John Penrod was a Delaware State trooper and worked with the FBI on this case. He received text messages from the FBI in which he called Croft “cowardly” and used other derogatory words.

What about “moron?” asked Joshua Blanchard.

” “It could have been Mr. Croft, or anyone else in the group,” Penrod responded.

Blanchard also recorded audio of Hank Impola, an FBI agent, telling an informant: “Don’t let facts get in way of a great story. ‘”

But, Corey Baumgardner admitted to a cross-examination that Impola’s comment two months later was actually a reference about how Croft or Fox would spin kidnapping claims.

The defense claims that Fox and Croft had been snatched by informants and agents who fed them their anti-government opinions. Prosecutors say the group wanted to trigger a national revolt and was furious over COVID-19 restrictions imposed by Whitmer during the early stages of the pandemic.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer speaks at a news conference at the governor’s office in Lansing, Mich., on March 11, 2022. (David Eggert/AP Photo)

Croft, 46, is from Bear, Delaware. Fox, 39, was living in the basement of a vacuum shop in the Grand Rapids area.

U.S. District judge Robert Jonker provided instructions to jurors, before they were sent home for the weekend. The judge stated that the jury could convict them of conspiring if they believe there was “a mutual understanding” among others to kidnap, and even though one didn’t take place.

But, entrapment may apply if the jury believes that agents or informants convinced Fox and Croft into committing a crime they were not willing to do.

” Ask yourself the questions about character and reputation of the defendants. Jonker stated, “Let these thoughts marinate within your own mind.”

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