Suspect in Whitmer kidnap plot denied lower bond
Morrison a founder of Wolverine Watchmen
A domestic terrorism plot suspect tried and failed to get his bond lowered again Friday.
Joseph Morrison, 26, of Munith remains in jail in Jackson County because he was given a much higher bond than the other men charged in the county, his attorney, George Lyons, said Friday during a virtual hearing at 12th District Court.
Morrison is accused of threatening terrorism and providing aid in connection with a plot to kidnap Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and target officials and law enforcement in response to executive orders amid the coronavirus pandemic.
In total, 14 men have been charged at the state and federal level in the plot. Morrison is one of eight men charged at the state level and one of three charged in Jackson County, specifically.
Morrison initially was given a $10 million bond, but Jackson County District Judge Michael Klaeren lowered it to $150,000 last month.
Klaeren previously lowered bond to $75,000 for codefendant Paul Bellar, 22, of Milford and $100,000 for Morrison’s father-in-law, Pete Musico, 43, of Munith, however.
The other men might have even greater culpability in the case, Lyons said, whereas Morrison is a father and former Marine who simply had defensive trainings on his property.
The bond shouldn’t be punitive, should be consistent with the other men and Morrison should have “a reasonable opportunity, as opposed to be sitting in jail for the month of November, December, January through and into February,” Lyons said.
However, Morrison was a founder of the Wolverine Watchmen – the group now accused of ties to the domestic terrorism plot – and the numerous exercises he was involved in weren’t defensive, but involved breaching buildings, said Assistant Attorney General Gregory Townsend.
In any case, Klaeren made a choice last month after an exhaustive review, Klaeren said.
He has concern with statements allegedly made by Morrison, as they show disrespect for the system, including court orders, Klaeren said.
Being able to post a bond isn’t his only concern and similar charges don’t equate to a similar bond, he said.
“We have an apple, orange and banana and they're each entitled to a separate consideration,” he said.
Of the eight men charged at the state level and not federally, five have been released on bond. The three that remain are Morrison; Eric Molitor, 36, of Cadillac who is charged in Antrim County; and Brian Higgins, 52, who is fighting his extradition from his home state of Wisconsin.
The men charged in Jackson County all had a hearing Friday and are due for a preliminary examination next.
Klaeren said he is seeking a larger courtroom for the hearing for two days in early February.
Four men charged in Antrim County are also due in court next year.
The six men charged at the federal level were indicted by a grand jury this week.
Morrison is charged with threat of terrorism, committing a felony as a gang member, providing material support for a terrorist act, and carrying a firearm during the commission of a felony.
Each count is punishable by up to 20 years in prison upon conviction, except the weapons charge, which is punishable by two years in prison upon conviction for a first offense.