ELK RAPIDS, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – A judge has started hearing evidence to determine if five men will face trial for their alleged roles in a plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

The proceedings in state court came just days after a jury in federal court convicted two men described as leaders of the scheme.

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Michael Null, William Null, Eric Molitor, and Shawn Fix, all from Michigan, are each charged with providing material support for terrorist acts as well as a gun crime. Brian Higgins of Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, faces the same material support charge.

The judge must decide if there is probable cause to send the men to trial in Antrim County, which is the location of Whitmer’s Elk Rapids vacation home.

The five men were part of a group of 14 that originally arrested in October 2020. They’ve been charged with providing support for terrorist acts and possessing weapons in connection with the kidnapping plot.

The Wolverine Watchmen is a Michigan Militia group.

Last week, a federal jury convicted Adam Fox and Barry Croft Jr. of conspiracy last week. Ty Garbin and Kaleb Franks pleaded guilty earlier. In April, a jury acquitted Daniel Harris and Brandon Caserta.

Attorneys for the defendants argued there would have been no plan to kidnap Gov. Whitmer if FBI informants had not infiltrated the group and encouraged the men to go through with the kidnapping.