DETROIT — The federal prosecution of a Michigan Militia known as the Hutaree imploded this week in downtown Detroit when a fed judge tossed all the charges that the group of seven conspired to revolt against the government and shoot cops. Two ended up pleading guilty to minor gun charges.
It was an embarrassment to the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the FBI.
But on Thursday, U.S. Attorney Barabara McQuade vowed to try and prevent terror attacks, the Detroit News reports. And she responded to criticism from the Hutaree leader David Stone Sr who said the government trampled on his First Amendment rights.
“He can say ugly and hateful things all day long, but the evidence was not just speech,” McQuade said, according to the News. “It was stockpiling weapons, machine guns, 150,000 rounds of ammunition and targeting specific police officers.
“I am a great defender of the First Amendment — this went way beyond the First Amendment. I want to assure the public that our commitment to preventing terrorist attacks will not be deterred.”
But the News reported that one juror said the feds overstepped in this case.
“They overstepped a little bit. It wasn’t there,” said juror Rickey Randall, 58, of St. Clair Shores, according to the News. “It was just a lot of talk, talk, talk and no action.”
“We were all on the same page,” said Randall, a retired construction worker. “They saw what I saw. I felt it was an overreach. I was shocked by what the government presented.”
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FBI agent charged with beating her father
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http://www.vindy.com/news/2012/mar/29/ex-fbi-agent-charged-beating-her-father/?nw
Thu, March 29, 2012
YOUNGSTOWN — A 46-year-old woman, who police listed as a former FBI agent, has been charged with domestic violence for allegedly assaulting her partially blind father this week.
The man told police Lawson hit him in the back of his head and on the shoulder. Lawson told police she did hit her father because he was getting on her nerves.
The father, while police were investigating the matter, told his daughter, “You need help. That’s why they kicked you out of the FBI.”
The statement, reportedly sent Lawson into a frenzy, causing her to curse the man and punch him in the head in front of officers.
Lawson still threatened to do her father bodily harm as she was being led away by police.