kidnapping plot

As of now — April 5 at noon — jurors are still deliberating the fate of four men accused of plotting to kidnap Governor Gretchen Whitmer. We will have updates on the verdict as soon as it comes in. But today on the pod, we go over what we know so far.

Adam Fox, Barry Croft Jr., Daniel Harris, and Brandon Caserta are charged with conspiracy. Three also face additional charges.

The jury decided to start fresh next week rather than begin discussing the case Friday afternoon.

Kaleb Franks had been arguing, along with other defendants in the case, that he was entrapped by federal agents. Wednesday, he told a judge the plot was real.

A plea agreement filed Monday shows that a second defendant in the case plans to plead guilty and cooperate in the prosecution of the remaining men.

Defense attorneys made the request claiming their clients were entrapped by government agents

The federal trial for five men accused of plotting to kidnap Governor Gretchen Whitmer is scheduled to begin March 8 in Grand Rapids.

In a motion filed on Christmas day, defense attorneys claim “egregious overreaching by the government’s agents” for entrapping their clients.

How kids, families, and schools dealt with past pandemics. Plus, a BuzzFeed investigation shines critical light on the use of FBI informants in Whitmer kidnapping case. And, the legacy of Michigan’s Native boarding schools—and how tribes are reclaiming what was lost.

The men were arrested nearly a year ago for allegedly plotting to kidnap the governor. Now their federal trial won't start until mid-February at the earliest.