JACKSON COUNTY — The Michigan Court of Appeals unanimously reversed Joseph Morrison's conviction for providing material support for a terroristic act and additional charges in a 3-0 ruling. The court determined that kidnapping does not qualify as an underlying violent felony to support a terrorism conviction under state law.
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced she will appeal the decision to the Michigan Supreme Court. Nessel stated, "This wasn't an abstract or peaceful kidnapping case. The evidence presented at trial explicitly proved a considered and coordinated plan among these men to kidnap and brutally murder the Governor, killing as many members of law enforcement and residents of the community as necessary along the way. Kidnapping is violent and it is a felony." Nessel called the ruling "completely and irredeemably nonsensical, outrageous and irresponsible."
Law enforcement arrested 14 individuals in connection with the plot in October 2020. Undercover FBI agents and informants had operated inside the group for several months before the scheme was disrupted. Morrison, Pete Musico, and Paul Bellar conducted firearm training in Jackson County with Adam Fox. Morrison was a member of the Wolverine Watchmen group. Governor Gretchen Whitmer was not physically harmed during the 2020 plot.
Morrison was convicted in 2022 and has been incarcerated since that time. Musico and Bellar were found guilty alongside Morrison at a trial in Jackson County. Morrison had received an initial minimum prison sentence of 10 years for three crimes, which was later reduced to six years. Fox was convicted of conspiracy in the kidnapping plot and is serving a 16-year federal prison sentence. Barry Croft Jr. was also convicted as a co-leader of the organization and sentenced to 16 years in prison.
William Null, Michael Null, and Eric Molitor were found not guilty of providing support for a terrorist act and a weapon charge. The Null twins and Molitor were the final defendants among the 14 charged to face trial. Nine defendants were initially convicted, which leaves five cleared after Morrison's conviction was overturned.