-> SNETNEWS Mailing List http://www.freep.com/news/mich/qdate11.htm Michigan news briefs January 11, 1999 KALAMAZOO Militia member's trial starts today The marijuana plants Randy Graham is accused of growing at his home in Springfield, near Battle Creek, were one aspect of a violent antigovernment plot, according to federal prosecutors. The government contends the 41-year-old man planned to use the profits from pot sales to finance a militia conspiracy to blow up federal buildings and threaten federal officials with assault and murder. Jury selection in Graham's trial on drug and conspiracy charges is to begin today in U.S. District Court in Kalamazoo. Graham, a member of the North American Militia, has denied wrongdoing. He faces up to 30 years in prisonif convicted. A federal jury in November convicted Bradford Metcalf, 47, of Olivet on conspiracy and weapons charges in the same case. A third defendant, Ken Carter, 47, of Battle Creek is cooperating with prosecutors in exchange for leniency when he is sentenced. Prosecutors likely will use much of the evidence in the Metcalf case against Graham, including FBI tapes of conversations among the defendants. Last month, District Judge Richard Enslen threw out statements Graham made to investigators after Graham told the judge he had been too ill and "bummed out" to understand the legal consequences of his actions. But the judge rejected Graham's plea to quash evidence taken from his home and pickup truck. Federal prosecutors contend Metcalf, Graham and Carter were "potential domestic terrorists" with the firepower to make good on their alleged hatred for the government. "They had a training compound, an arsenal ...and the hatred," Assistant U.S. Attorney Lloyd Meyer said in April. "They were locked, loaded and ready to go." By the Associated Press RICHMOND TOWNSHIP Chemical fumes overcome teen A Macomb County teenager was overcome by fumes Sunday evening while trying to make a bottle bomb. Sheriff's Department Lt. James Cowan said the 17-year-old was at home on School Section Road in Richmond Township with seven young relatives when he tried to use bleach and other chemicals to make the device. Deputies were called at 6:45 p.m. Cowan said the boy, who apparently made the bomb just out of curiosity, was treated and released from Mt. Clemens General Hospital. He said bottle bombs have become a serious public safety issue. "When they explode, they can actually take a person's arm off," Cowan said. By Cecil Angel DETROIT Shooting death is a mystery Police said Sunday they had no motives or suspects in the fatal shooting of a 29-year-old Detroit man in the parking lot of a Marathon gas station on the city's northwest side. The man, whose name was not released by authorities, had finished shopping at the station about 6:45 p.m. Saturday and was entering his vehicle when the gunfire erupted, police said. The station is at Braile and 7 Mile, west of Evergreen. The man was shot several times and died at Grace Hospital, police said. By David Migoya BRIEFLY * Petoskey: The Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians has decided to build a temporary casino in Petoskey before opening its main casino south of Mackinaw City, Odawa chairman Frank Ettawageshik said. The Odawas said three years ago that the casino would be built off I-75, south of Mackinaw City. Original sketches included an outlet shopping center, hotel, RV park and family entertainment. But developer Michael Jacobson said late last week that the Mackinaw City property is under foreclosure and may not be the final site. All content � copyright 1999 Detroit Free Press and may not be republished without permission. -> Send "subscribe snetnews " to [EMAIL PROTECTED] -> Posted by: "Mark A. Smith" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
