Illness causes Whitmer kidnap plot trial to temporarily adjourn, a juror is dismissed

The state's Gov. Gretchen Whitmer kidnap plot trial in Jackson unexpectedly adjourned Monday because one of the defense attorneys is ill. It is expected to resume later this week, a court official said.

So far, the trial has been filled with twists and tension, including the dismissal of a juror because Jackson County Circuit Judge Thomas Wilson said she appeared to have been flirting with Paul Bellar, one of the three defendants who are accused of helping the men convicted of plotting to kidnap Whitmer, and testimony, mostly by an FBI special agent and an undercover informant.

The judge announced his decision Friday.

Wilson had said earlier in the week he was keeping an eye on the dismissed juror because he saw her smiling at Bellar.

Bellar — who was a member of a paramilitary group, the Wolverine Watchmen — is on trial with Joseph Morrison and Pete Musico. They are charged with providing material support for terrorism, a felony punishable by up to 20 years, along with being a member of a gang and illegally using firearms.

Musico's attorney Kareem Johnson, who confirmed Monday why the court was adjourned, told the Free Press he did not observe the dismissed juror or Bellar doing anything wrong, adding, "that's what we ask jurors to do, look at the witness, look at the evidence and look at the defendants."

Unlike the federal case, in which the defendants were accused of planning to kidnap the governor, the state terrorism case is more nuanced. The suspects are charged with aiding the plotters. The defense has argued their clients were entrapped by the FBI and a paid informant, known as Big Dan.

The Free Press is withholding Dan's last name because he has said his safety is at risk.

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Dan joined the Watchmen but said he almost immediately became concerned and went to law enforcement.

But Dan also acknowledged in court that as a paid informant he did more than record and relay conversations to authorities. The Army veteran acknowledged he also provided the group training, drove the defendants to meetings and became one of its leaders.

He said, though, that he did those things to prevent harm, not cause it.

Contact Frank Witsil: 313-222-5022 or fwitsil@freepress.com.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Illness forces Whitmer kidnap trial in Jackson to unexpectedly adjourn