Judge acquits Hutaree militia members of conspiracy charges
Judge acquits Hutaree militia members of conspiracy charges DETROIT (USA TODAY) — A federal judge Tuesday knocked out federal conspiracy charges against seven members of the Hutaree militia group that prosecutors described as rural extremists plotting a violent revolt that included killing a police officer and bombing a funeral. U.S. District Judge Victoria Roberts granted defense requests for acquittal on all charges against five of the defendants and the most serious charges against two others: alleged ringleader David Stone Sr. and his son Joshua Stone. Acting after prosecutors rested their case, Roberts ruled the government didn't have enough evidence to back its claims. www.freep.com/usatoday/article/53815972?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|FRONTPAGE|p Hutaree Militia Members Acquitted, Conspiracy Charges Dropped In Domestic Terrorism Case DETROIT — A federal judge on Tuesday gutted the government's case against seven members of a Michigan militia, dismissing the most serious charges in an extraordinary defeat for federal authorities who insisted they had captured "HOMEGROWN RURAL EXTREMISTS" poised for war. U.S. District Judge Victoria Roberts said the members' expressed hatred of law enforcement didn't amount to a conspiracy to rebel against the government. The FBI had secretly planted an informant and an FBI agent inside the Hutaree militia starting in 2008 to collect hours of anti-government audio and video that became the cornerstone of the case. www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/27/hutaree-militia-members-conspiracy-charges-dropped_n_1383390.html Judge Acquits Hutaree Militia Members Of Conspiracy Charges DETROIT -- A federal judge Tuesday acquitted seven Hutaree members of all conspiracy charges, concluding the government didn't have enough evidence that the group plotted a violent revolt that included killing a police officer and bombing a funeral. U.S. District Judge Victoria Roberts dismissed all charges against five of the defendants. Illegal weapons charges remain against two defendants: the supposed ringleader, David Stone Sr., and his son Joshua Stone. Defendants acquitted of all charges are Tina Stone, 46, and David Stone Jr., 22, both of Adrian, Mich.; Michael Meeks, 42, of Manchester, Mich; Thomas Piatek, 48, of Whiting, Ind.; and Kristopher Sickles, 29, of Sandusky, Ohio. "We're just grateful to Judge Roberts for having the courage to do the right thing. ... Very few judges have that kind of courage," said lawyer Michael Rataj, who is representing Tina Stone. "There was no case. There was no conspiracy," Rataj said, further claiming the case was the result of overzealous federal agents. www.dailypaul.com/223508/detroit-free-press-flash-judge-acquits-hutaree-militia-members-of-conspiracy-charges Acquitted Hutaree militia member from Manchester going back to old job A judge on Tuesday dismissed the most serious charges against seven members of the Hutaree militia. They were accused of conspiring to wage war on the government. Gun charges remain only against militia leader David Stone and son Joshua Stone. www.annarbor.com/news/crime/acquitted-hutaree-militia-member-from-manchester-going-back-to-old-job/ Members of the Hutaree militia acquitted THIS IS A MUST SEE VIDEO AS TO WHY WE NEED TO MAKE A STAND AGINST TYRANNICAL GOVERNMENT!!! www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4ewtHnqG5w
