Father of jailed Mich. militia leader says he’ll monitor son if judge releases him on bail

Militia leader’s father says he’ll keep eye on son

DETROIT — The 71-year-old father of a Michigan militia leader charged with plotting against the government testified Wednesday that he would keep an eye on his son if he was released from jail while awaiting trial.

Ray Stone said his son, David Stone, already lives in a pair of trailers on his 10-acre property in southern Michigan. Federal agents searched the trailers after they arrested David Stone last month.

David Stone and eight other militia members were indicted on weapons charges and conspiracy to commit sedition. The indictment said they planned to kill police officers as a steppingstone to a widespread uprising against the government.

Defense lawyers, however, claim their clients are being punished for being outspoken and have asked for their release.

U.S. District Judge Victoria Roberts in Detroit is considering an appeal of another judge’s order that has kept the militia members locked up, and she heard testimony for a second day Wednesday. Prosecutors were to question relatives who promised to be responsible for some of the nine if they were released.

Ray Stone had a testy exchange with a prosecutor when he was asked about his own weapons. He refused to answer the question, and then when Roberts told him he must, he said he has more than a half-dozen rifles and handguns.