USA | “Good ol’ boys” militia willing to “go to war”

Source: CBS Tuesday, 14 February 2012, 16:47

Seven members of a Midwest militia group accused of plotting to overthrow the US government have appeared in Federal Court in Detroit for the start of their trial, in which jurors
will decide whether federal authorities prevented an attack by homegrown extremists or simply made too much of the boasts of weekend warriors who had pledged to “take our nation back.” The jury was picked on 13 February, and opening statements were heard in the trial of the militia members, known as Hutaree, who are charged with conspiring to commit sedition, or rebellion, as well as weapon crimes. In his opening statement, Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Graveline showed jurors a video clip in which the group’s leader, David Stone, declares “welcome to the revolution.”

Stone’s attorney, William Swor, told jurors there was no plan to attack the government, and that Stone – raised in a religious household – was instead preparing to fight the “anti-Christ.” WWJ Radio in Detroit, has reported that Stone was heard on a recording made by an undercover agent in a car, talking about the new world order, allegedly rehearsing a speech. Stone was heard saying the militia needed to “start huntin’” police soon. The question facing now jurors, said WWJ's Sandra McNeill, is: Were the accused attempting to incite a revolution, or was it just talk? The defendants are accused of conspiring to someday ambush and kill a police officer, then attack the funeral procession with explosives and trigger a broader revolt against the U.S. government.

Defence attorneys say the group engaged in speech that was “stupid” and “hateful,” but nothing criminal. The members were arrested in FBI raids in Ohio, Michigan and Indiana in March 2010.
Since their capture, only one of nine people charged has struck a plea deal, an unusually low number in a case with so many defendants. Their attorneys have maintained a consistent stance: The anti-government talk was simply colourful but aimless bluster akin to frustrated pals drowning sorrows around a campfire.

“I’m going to fight it tooth and nail,” David Stone's wife and co-defendant, Tina Mae Stone, said during a break in jury selection last week. “It was just a bunch of good ol’ boys out to have fun. We did survival stuff. I did it mostly to spend time with my husband. People tell me, ‘good luck.’ I don't need luck. I've got God on my side.” The government, however, has more than 100 hours of audio and video evidence, describes the Hutaree, which the militia claimed means “Christian warriors,” as an anti-government group committed to fighting authorities who belong to a so-called “New World Order.” Agents also seized machine guns, unregistered rifles, ammunition and parts for improvised explosive devices.