January 1, Juror Dismissed From Whitmer Kidnapping Trial for Flirting With Defendant

A female juror has been dismissed from the trial of three men accused of plotting to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) after attorneys claimed she was flirting with one of the defendants.

Judge Thomas Wilson announced that he’d removed the young woman from the jury two days after attorneys raised concerns she was having too much non-verbal communication with defendant Paul Bellar, MLive reported.

“It didn’t just happen on one day — it happened over multiple days,” Wilson said. “I decided its safer to err on the side of caution.”

The judge noted that he’s never witnessed such behavior in his nearly 35-year career. He said that the juror took the decision well.

The unnamed woman smiled, nodded, and made eyes toward Bellar, the NY Daily Paper reported. Assistant Attorney General Bill Rollstin said that Bellar flirted back, winking at the juror, and even pumped his fists at her.

Bellar is standing trial with co-defendants Joseph Morrison and Pete Musico. The three are charged with providing material support for a terrorist act. The men have pleaded not guilty, claiming they were entrapped by an FBI informant and his handlers.