Extradition delayed for Wisconsin man charged in kidnap plot
by The Associated Press
Last Updated Dec 16, 2020 at 1:14 pm EDT
PORTAGE, Wis. A Wisconsin man accused in a plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer should be extradited to Michigan, but he will be given a chance to appeal first, a judge ruled.
Brian Higgins was allegedly part of a crew conducting surveillance of the governor’s vacation home for the kidnapping plot. He is charged with material support of an act of terrorism.
The Wisconsin Dells man, 52, is jailed in Columbia County until the appeal of his extradition is decided.
Columbia County Circuit Court Judge Todd Hepler rejected the defense’s line of reasoning.
“Mr. Higgins is not being deported to some third-world kangaroo court,” Hepler said during a Zoom hearing Tuesday. “He will enjoy all of the constitutional rights guaranteed to every American citizen, including due process of law.”
Higgins is among 14 men charged in the domestic terrorism case. The plotters planned to storm Michigan’s state Capitol building and kidnap officials, including the Democratic governor, officials said. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer thanked law enforcement on Thursday for their work in foiling a plot to kidnap her from her vacation home. The governor also accused President Donald Trump of encouraging extremism when he refused to condemn white supremacists during last week s debate.
2020/12/17 02:03 PORTAGE, Wis. (AP) A Wisconsin man accused in a plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer should be extradited to Michigan, but he will be given a chance to appeal first, a judge ruled. Brian Higgins was allegedly part of a crew conducting surveillance of the governor’s vacation home for the kidnapping plot. He is charged with material support of an act of terrorism. The Wisconsin Dells man, 52, is jailed in Columbia County until the appeal of his extradition is decided. Defense attorney Christopher Van Wagner argued that Michigan extradition order should not be granted, saying Whitmer has a conflict of interest in the matter because she is the victim, WLUK-TV reported.
Wisconsin man accused in Whitmer kidnapping plot fights extradition bakersfield.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from bakersfield.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Brian Higgins, accused in kidnap-plot of Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, wins and loses in court
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PORTAGE, Wisc. (WLS) A Wisconsin judge Tuesday morning decided to extradite one of the accused kidnap-plotters of Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, but not immediately carry it out.
The good news-bad news decision was for Brian Higgins, among 14 men charged in the domestic terrorism case.
Higgins will be allowed to remain in Wisconsin while his attorney appeals Tuesday s extradition approval. Mr. Higgins is not being deported to some third-world kangaroo court, Columbia County Circuit Court Judge Todd Hepler said during a Zoom hearing. He will enjoy all of the constitutional rights guaranteed to every American citizen, including due process of law.