Judge denies requests for 2 men convicted in Whitmer kidnap plot to get new trials

Kara Berg, The Detroit News on Jan 28, 2025

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DETROIT — A Jackson County judge has denied requests from two men convicted of plotting to kidnap Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in 2020 who asked for a new trial and to be resentenced.

Circuit Judge Thomas Wilson on Monday also denied a third man, Pete Musico's, request to reconsider his previous denial of Musico's ask for a new trial and to be resentenced. Wilson denied Musico's original request in 2024, according to the Michigan Attorney General's Office.

Wilson denied Paul Bellar and Joseph Morrison's requests for a new trial and to be resentenced, but ordered that their sentences be amended to remove a provision about consecutive sentences.

Bellar, Morrison and Musico were convicted of providing material aid to terrorists, being members of a gang in connection with the kidnapping plot and a gun charge in 2022 in connection with the 2020 plot to kidnap Whitmer. The jury found they were associates of plot ringleaders Adam Fox and Barry Croft, who were convicted in federal court of kidnapping conspiracy and conspiracy to use a weapon of mass destruction.

The jury determined that the three men ― Morrison; Morrison's father-in-law, Musico; and their acquaintance, Bellar — were early joiners and founders of the Wolverine Watchmen militia, which helped train Fox and Croft for their plot to kidnap Whitmer.

Musico was sentenced to 12 to 20 years in prison; the most severe of the three. Morrison was originally sentenced to 10 to 20 years in prison, but with Wilson's sentence correction, will have to serve a minimum of six years instead of 10. Bellar was sentenced to seven to 20 years in prison.

“Public officials must be able to carry out their duties without fearing for their lives,” Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said in a statement. “Our Hate Crimes and Domestic Terrorism Unit works tirelessly to hold those who threaten our democracy accountable. I am pleased these motions were denied, ensuring those who seek to endanger public officials and undermine our democratic institutions face consequences for their actions.”

Also charged in connection with the kidnap plot was William Null, twin brother Michael Null and Eric Molitor, who were all found not guilty in September 2023 of providing support for a terrorist act and a weapon charge.

In federal court, Ty Garbin and Kaleb Franks pleaded guilty to the kidnapping conspiracy and testified during the federal trial in Grand Rapids. Garbin was sentenced to six years in prison and Franks was sentenced to four years in prison after cooperating with the government and testifying in two trials. Daniel Harris and Brandon Caserta were found not guilty.

In Antrim County, Wisconsin resident Brian Higgins was sentenced to three years of probation for attempting to provide material support for terrorism. Shawn Fix of Belleville was sentenced to three to 20 years in prison for providing material support for a terroristic act.

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