Opening Statements Made In Hutaree Trail In Detroit's Federal Court

DETROIT (WWJ) - Trial is underway for members of the Michigan militia group known as the Hutaree.

The U.S. Attorneys Office says that the Hutaree militia was planning to overthrow the federal government - first by taking out a police officer then attacking the other officers in the funeral procession.

The seven members on trail are facing life in prison if convicted of the most serious charges in the case.

WWJ's Mike Campbell reports that opening statements from the U.S. Attorneys office included a video tape.

The video showed the alleged leader of the Hutaree militia , David Stone, declaring "welcome to the revolution."

Stone's attorney, William Swor, told jurors there was no plan to attack the government and that Stone was instead preparing to fight the "anti-Christ."

The trial is expected to last several weeks.