On Tuesday, the FBI's undercover informant in an investigation into the plot to kidnap the Governor deflected defense attorneys' questions designed to show he directed the plot with a simple response: "Under the direction of."
Defense attorney Julia Kelly, who represents Daniel Harris, asked the witness whether he started some of the private chats discussing the alleged plot during 2020 and if his actions were directed by the FBI, including some to identify another Wolverine Watchmen – referred to as a "softer target" – as the FBI informant if questioned by group members.
"Yes," witness Dan Chappel replied, adding a caveat on many questions that he did so "under the direction of Daniel Harris."
Chappel gave similar responses when the attorneys for the other defendants – Brandon Caserta, Barry Croft Jr. and Adam Fox – asked similar questions.
The questions became so redundant that it led U.S. District Judge Robert Jonker to acknowledge that with four defendants “repetition is inevitable, but he suggested that sometimes “less is more,” especially when there are “a lot of of people” to hear from.
The distinction between who led what, however, could be important as the defense strategy has been that the informants and undercover FBI agents directed the alleged plot and not their clients.
Fox, Caserta, Croft and Harris are each charged with kidnapping conspiracy while Croft, Fox and Harris also face a charge of conspiracy to use a weapon of mass destruction. Croft and Harris are also charged with possession of an unregistered destructive device and Harris is charged with possession of an unregistered short-barreled rifle.
Chappel returns to the stand when the trial continues Wednesday. The prosecution anticipates that Ty Garbin, who was sentenced to 75 months in prison for his role in the plot, will also testify Wednesday.
Defense attorneys spent today cross examining Chappel, each asking questions designed to specifically identify what planning meetings or training exercises, if any, their individual clients participated in.
Chappel testified that there were group chats, such as the "Bonfire" group chat and the "F—Around and Find Out" group chat, as well as meetings including at the Vac Shack, rallies at the State Capitol or training exercises, that some defendants did not attend.
Chappel also acknowledged that some Wolverine Watchmen had a falling out in June 2020 – less than a month after the start of the alleged conspiracy – and at one point, a member created a "shadow" group, which splintered the group.
Kelly questioned why Chappel would stop the defendants "from breaking up with the Wolverine Watchmen" when they wanted to leave the group, and Chappel replied that it wasn't really a "break up." He said he was "trying to figure out what their motives were."
Defense attorney Michael Hills, who represents Caserta, followed that same questioning, asking Chappel if he "decided to try to be the glue" to keep the group together when it became known that his client and Fox were drifting apart.
Chappel said Fox and Caserta disagreed about the chain of command and it is that aspect he tried to maintain, and he also acknowledged that he told each defendant they were "like-minded" to the other.
Croft's attorney, Joshua Blanchard, questioned Chappel about how much the FBI paid him for being an informant, noting it was about $54,000 for about seven months' work – close to what he earned as a truck driver for one year.
Blanchard, whose voice arguably altered between defensive and irritated, also had questioned Chappel about specific details of the plan to kidnap Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
Chappel explained that the plan involved "extreme violence" that included a "gun fight" to kill her security detail. He said Fox wanted upwards of seven assault teams – or a “kill squad.”
Chappel said the group would then use a utility task vehicle to transport Whitmer to Lake Michigan where she would be placed on Garbin's boat, which would be painted black.
"He was going to take her to Wisconsin for a kangaroo trial and hang her," Chappel testified.
