Judge acquits 5 Hutaree militia members of all charges; 2 face only weapons counts
Source: Detroit Free Press
Judge acquits 5 Hutaree militia members of all charges; 2 face only weapons counts
2:32 PM, March 27, 2012
By Tresa Baldas
Detroit Free Press Staff Writer
In a startling development, a federal judge today acquitted seven Hutaree members of all conspiracy charges, concluding there was not enough evidence that they plotted a violent revolt against the government that included killing a police officer and bombing a funeral.
U.S. District Judge Victoria Roberts dismissed all charges against five of the defendants. But illegal weapons charges remain against two defendants, the accused ringleader David Stone Sr. and his son Joshua Stone.
The defendants acquitted of all charges are Tina Stone, 46; David Stone Jr., 22, of Adrian; Michael Meeks, 42, of Manchester; Thomas Piatek, 48, of Whiting, Ind., and Kristopher Sickles, 29, of Sandusky, Ohio.
“We’re just grateful to Judge Roberts for having the courage to do the right thing .l.l. very few judges have that kind of courage,” said attorney Michael Rataj, who is representing Tina Stone.
Read more: http://www.freep.com/article/20120327/NEWS06/120327048/Judge-acquits-5-Hutaree-militia-members-all-charges-2-face-only-weapons-counts
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