(No caption)
Federal Judge Robert Jonker
Despite prosecutors' concerns, a Grand Rapids federal judge ruled Thursday that two undercover FBI agents in the Gov. Gretchen Whitmer kidnap plot must testify using their actual names in trial next week, The Detroit News reports. That will add credibilty. he said.
Prosecutors had argued that real names would would hinder an ongoing counterterrorism investigation and jeopardize the agents' safety. Four men face trial on a kidnapping conspiracy charge.
Chief U.S. District Judge Robert Jonker wrote in an order:
"It is time for all guise and pretense to end and for the prosecution to present the evidence in an open forum with witnesses testifying using their true identity. Disclosure, and the opportunity for the defense to present a meaningful cross examination, will best ensure continuing trust in the judicial process."
