Two men in Whitmer plot back in court

LANSING, Mich. (WILX) - Joseph Morrison, 26, and Pete Musico, 42, appeared in Michigan’s 12th District Court Friday morning. The two are facing several state charges including threats of terrorism and providing material support for terrorist acts. The hearing focused mainly on Musico, who’s bail was cut from $10 Million to $100,000.

Musico’s attorney, Kareem Johnson, touted him as a family man with strong ties to the Munith community. Johnson said Musico never participated, or planned to participate, in violent activities in association with the “Wolverine Watchmen” militia. Musico and Morrison are accused of being founding members of the group, and of allowing other suspects to train on their property in Munith.

Johnson also argued that Musico was kicked out of the militia group in June. He says the other members accused Musico of being “too soft” for the group. This came after Musico allegedly would not commit to criminal activities during an argument between him and Adam Fox, the man accused of being the ringleader of the Wolverine Watchmen.

Prosecutors say Musico came up with his own plan because he was unhappy with the one created by Fox. They say Musico had conversations with Fox as late as October about their intent to perform what they called a citizen’s arrest of Governor Gretchen Whitmer before the presidential election in November. Johnson rebuked that claim, saying Musico had abandoned all plans of a citizen’s arrest, and emphasized the fact that no plans were ever acted upon.

Musico faces four charges in state court: one count of making threats of terrorism, one count of gang membership felonies, one count of providing material support to terrorist acts, and one count of felony firearm possession. Sunita Doddamani, head of the Hate Crimes Unit of the Criminal Division of the Department of the Attorney General, said each charge could carry a 51-month sentence, which could be served consecutively.

Morrison was left alone for most of the hearing. Musico has been given a GPS tether to wear while the two await their next court date, scheduled for November 2.