Michigan Court of Appeals overturns conviction for man accused in Whitmer kidnapping plot
ClickOnDetroit | WDIV Local 4 • • nation
Key Points:
- The Michigan Court of Appeals unanimously overturned Joseph Morrison's 2022 conviction related to the plot to kidnap Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, citing that kidnapping is not legally considered a violent felony.
- The court found that flawed jury instructions led to an invalid verdict, as the jury was only asked about guilt for providing material support for terrorism without clear distinction of the underlying felony.
- Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel strongly criticized the ruling, calling it nonsensical and expressing intent to appeal, emphasizing the state's commitment to prosecuting violent threats against elected officials.
- Morrison's case has been vacated and remanded for further proceedings, while previous motions for new trials and resentencing for other defendants in the case had been denied earlier this year.