DETROIT   (WKZO)  --   A federal judge has acquitted seven members of the Hutaree militia, rebuking U.S. Attorneys, saying their case was built largely upon circumstantial evidence. The militia members were accused of planning to kill a police officer and bomb his funeral, hoping to spark a civil war and bring down the Government.   Defense attorneys claimed they never had a plan, they just talked about it and that’s protected by the first amendment.

Federal Judge Victoria Roberts agreed, saying while it may be hateful, it doesn’t constitute a conspiracy to commit sedition.

The FBI spent 4-years investigating the group, sending in an agent who became so close to Leader David Stone, he reportedly served as best man at his wedding.   While seven defendants are going home, Stone and one other defendant are still on trial for minor gun charges.