LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – A man convicted in the plot to kidnap Gov. Gretchen Whitmer will get a new trial after the Michigan Court of Appeals panel overturned his convictions.

Joseph Morrison was convicted in connection to the 2020 plot. Judges ruled Morrison’s convictions were based on jury instructions that treated kidnapping as a violent felony. The court found Michigan’s kidnapping law no longer qualifies as a violent felony because lawmakers removed force-related language from the statute in 2006.

MORE NEWS: Ralph Rebandt Loses Court Fight to Secure Spot on Governor’s Ballot

Morrison had been sentenced to prison on terrorism, gang membership and firearm charges.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said her office plans to appeal the decision. “My office will not allow this to stand,” Nessel said in a statement. To restore sanity, protect our public servants, and uphold the rule of law, we are appealing this preposterous decision.”

Nine people were convicted in the kidnapping plot, while five were acquitted or cleared. Defense attorneys argued that FBI agents and paid informants placed themselves inside the group of defendants and pushed the kidnapping plans.