Marathon Pundit: Prosecutors: NATO 3 caught plotting Molotov cocktail bombings for NATO summit

Monday, July 02, 2012

Prosecutors: NATO 3 caught plotting Molotov cocktail bombings for NATO summit

Occupy Chicago Black Bloc, May Day march

Three Black Bloc anarchists apparently weren't brewing beer inside their South Side Chicago apartment, according to the Cook County State's Attorney's office.

From the Chicago Tribune:

Prosecutors confirmed for the first time today that three NATO protesters were caught on secret recordings as they allegedly plotted to use Molotov cocktails to blow up political targets during the recent summit in Chicago.

Brent Betterly, 24, Jared Chase, 24, and Brian Church, 20, were each charged in 11-count indictments with conspiracy to commit terrorism, possession of explosives and other terrorism-related crimes following a May 16 raid last month at the Bridgeport apartment where they were staying in the weeks leading up to the summit.

The men, dubbed the "NATO 3" by supporters, entered not guilty pleas during a brief hearing today before Cook County Criminal Court Judge Thaddeus Wilson. They were dressed in yellow jail jumpsuits, indicating they are being held in protective custody. About 20 supporters stood in the courtroom gallery with their fists in the air as the defendants were led into the cramped courtroom.

Before the hearing, prosecutors turned over 372 pages of discovery related to the investigation, including information about a "consensual overhear" approved by a Cook County judge on May 4, about two weeks before the arrests.