5 accused in Whitmer plot will stand trial

A federal magistrate ruled Friday that five men will stand trial in connection with the alleged plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

Brandon Caserta, Adam Fox, Kaleb Franks, Ty Garbin and Daniel Harris were charged with conspiracy to kidnap.

U. S. Magistrate Judge Sally Berens said there was ample evidence of probable cause and bound them over for trial.

During the preliminary hearing, Mr. Fox’s attorney, Helen Nieuwenhuis, and Mr. Garbin’s attorney, Gary Springstead, questioned FBI Special Agent Richard Trask about the actions of the armed extremist group.

He testified that he heard discussion of the plot to kidnap Ms. Whitmer before President Donald Trump’s tweet in mid- April saying “LIBERATE MICHIGAN!”