Two Additional Convictions Overturned in Whitmer Kidnapping Case
WHO:
CBS News - The individuals involved in the plot include Pete Musico, Paul Bellar, and Joe Morrison.
CBS News - Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel commented on the case.
WHAT:
CBS News - A state appeals court set aside the convictions for Musico and Bellar, who were convicted of providing material support for an act of terrorism.
CBS News - Morrison's conviction was previously overturned in June in a precedent-setting decision.
CBS News - The appeals court ruled that kidnapping is not an underlying violent felony that can support a conviction under Michigan's terrorism law.
CBS News - Five of the 14 men involved in the overall investigation were acquitted at trials.
WHERE:
CBS News - The events took place in Michigan, specifically involving Governor Gretchen Whitmer.
WHEN:
CBS News - The plot to kidnap Whitmer was planned for just before the 2020 presidential election.
CBS News - The FBI made arrests in October 2020.
CBS News - Adam Fox was convicted in August 2022 and sentenced four months later.
WHY:
CBS News - The conspirators were motivated by anger over tough COVID-19 restrictions imposed by Whitmer and other officials, as well as perceived threats to gun ownership.
HOW:
CBS News - Undercover FBI agents and informants infiltrated Fox's group for months, leading to the disruption of the kidnapping scheme.
(UPDATED July 21, 2026 12:25 UTC)
A state appeals court has set aside the convictions of Pete Musico and Paul Bellar, who were found guilty of providing material support for an act of terrorism related to a plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Joe Morrison's conviction was previously overturned in June, and the appeals court ruled that kidnapping does not qualify as an underlying violent felony under Michigan's terrorism law. In total, five of the fourteen men involved in the investigation were acquitted at trial, while the FBI had made arrests in October 2020 after undercover agents infiltrated the group for months.