The prosecution in the Schaeffer Cox trial wrapped up its case Wednesday afternoon. Cox and two other defendants, Lonnie Vernon and Coleman Barney are accused of amassing illegal weapons in a plot to kill judges and other government officials.
Cox was the leader of the group called the Alaska Peacemakers Militia. He came to the attention of the FBI after officials saw speeches given by Cox on YouTube, specifically one called "The Solution." In that speech Cox told a crowd in Montana that he had 3,500 well-trained men under his command in Fairbanks.
The prosecution's final witness, FBI Agent Richard Sutherland, also read text messages between Cox and his men. Sutherland said Cox texted one of his supporters, “You can only fight tyrants with paper for so long.”
Another text message sent to Cox read, “I know how to make big bombs, just kill them all and let God sort it out.”
The defense asked Sutherland if there was any evidence that Cox or his supporters took steps to harm anyone. Sutherland could not provide any examples.
The defense begins its case Thursday morning.
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