GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WWJ) – A jury has been selected for the trial of four men charged with plotting to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
Judge Robert Jonker told prospective jurors they must set aside personal feelings about politics, Whitmer, and her administration's pandemic response.
The panel of 12 jurors and six alternates consists of seven men and 11 women, according to a report from WXYZ.
Prosecutors say Adam Fox, Barry Croft, Brandon Caserta, and Daniel Harris, among others conspired to kidnap the Democratic governor in 2020 because they were angry about COVID-19 restrictions she imposed.
Defense attorneys have signaled they'll argue entrapment by the FBI.
Two other Metro Detroit men – Ty Garbin and Kaleb Franks – have already pleaded guilty in the alleged plot. They will be federal witnesses in the trial and testify against the men they were allegedly partners with.
Twelve jurors were selected out of a field of 78. Several potential jurors were dismissed after saying they have strong feelings for or against Whitmer or the government. Another was let go after saying “I think they’re guilty.”
Opening statements in the trial will begin on Wednesday.
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