2 defendants acquitted in Michigan governor kidnapping case; mistrial declared for 2 others

By Brian Vitagliano, CNN

A federal jury on Friday found two men accused of plotting to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer not guilty of kidnapping conspiracy and a mistrial was declared for two other defendants.

Adam Fox, Barry Croft, Daniel Harris and Brandon Caserta faced federal charges for allegedly conspiring to kidnap the Democratic governor.

Harris and Caserta were found not guilty of kidnapping conspiracy. The jury also found Harris not guilty on other charges. The jury could not reach a verdict for Fox and Croft, after which US District Judge Robert Jonker declared a mistrial for those defendants.

All four defendants, who pleaded not guilty, faced up to life in prison if convicted of kidnapping conspiracy.

The indictment alleged that in 2020, six men charged in the case conspired with others to “unlawfully seize, kidnap, abduct and carry away, and hold for ransom and reward” Whitmer. Authorities have said the men were planning to kidnap the Democratic governor from a vacation home and blow up a bridge to delay law enforcement, but they were arrested first.

Two defendants previously pleaded guilty and testified in the trial.

This story is breaking and will be updated.

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CNN’s Lauren del Valle contributed to this report.