Seven members of a Midwest militia accused of plotting to overthrow the government are set to stand trial, where jurors will decide whether federal authorities prevented an attack by homegrown extremists or simply made too much of the boasts by weekend warriors who had pledged to “take our nation back.”
The Hutaree militia are charged with conspiring to commit sedition, or rebellion, as well as weapon crimes. The government says they conspired to try to kill a police officer and plotted further strikes. No one was ever attacked, and the defendants say they're being prosecuted for saying stupid things. One of the defendants made a deal with prosecutors and could be called as a witness to testify against the Hutaree.
The government relied on an undercover agent inside the group and an informant. But the informant comes with warts: He pleaded guilty in state court to firing a gun during a dispute with his wife and also attempted suicide. Another witness who was married to a Hutaree member not charged in the case attempted suicide and told a grand jury she’s prone to panic attacks.
Are these militia members an anti-government threat or are they exercising their 1st and 2nd Amendment rights, including freedom of speech, association, assembly and the right to bear arms?
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