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Second defendant takes the stand in trial over plot to kidnap governor

Defendant William Null testifies in an Antrim County courthouse, as he faces charges for alleged involvement in the plot to kidnap Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. He's one of three defendants in the trial, and the second one to testify in his own defense. (Photo: Michael Livingston/IPR News)
Michael Livingston
/
IPR News
Defendant William Null testifies in an Antrim County courthouse, as he faces charges for alleged involvement in the plot to kidnap Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. He's one of three defendants in the trial, and the second one to testify in his own defense. (Photo: Michael Livingston/IPR News)

Testimony continues this week in an Antrim County courthouse, where three men are standing trial for their alleged roles in the failed plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

On Monday, another defendant took to the witness stand.

William Null said he thought convicted ringleader Adam Fox was just ranting when he described plans to abduct Whitmer from her cottage in Elk Rapids. Fox is currently serving 16 years in a Colorado prison.

Null began his testimony by taking questions from his attorney, David Nunzio, who asked his client how he responded “when they talked to you about the plan?”

“That I thought they were just crazy or something along that line,” Null said. “I didn't think they would actually go through with it.”

Null's testimony followed that of Eric Molitor, who last week said he was duped into traveling to Whitmer’s cottage. And like Molitor, Null also faced cross-examination from Michigan Assistant Attorney General William Rollstin.

Rollstin read from a transcript of recorded audio, which said: “To be honest with you, you’d be better off shooting her. I’m telling you, you’ll get 25, you won’t get two life sentences.”

“What did you mean by that?” Rollstin asked Null.

“Yeah, I laughed at him, I didn’t take him serious,” Null replied.

“So that was like a joke to you about killing the governor?” Rollstin asked.

“Yeah, I laughed at him,” Null said. “That’s in my statement. I already testified to that too, sir.”

The three men, including William Null’s brother Michael, are charged with providing material support for a terrorist act and possessing a firearm while committing a felony.

The trial could wrap up as soon as this week.

Michael Livingston covers the area around the Straits of Mackinac - including Cheboygan, Charlevoix, Emmet and Otsego counties as a Report for America corps member.
Ed Ronco is IPR's news director.