Hutaree members in court on bail question

DETROIT, April 28 (UPI) -- Nine members of the Hutaree militia group returned to a federal courtroom in Detroit Wednesday to ask the judge to release them on bail pending their trials.

A federal prosecutor told U.S. District Judge Victoria Roberts Tuesday if the defendants were released, Hutaree members who weren't indicted could supply the defendants with weapon and help them flee prosecution, The Detroit News reported Wednesday.

Alleged leader David Stone, 45, Clayton, Mich., and eight other members of the Christian militia group are charged with seditious conspiracy, attempting to use weapons of mass destruction and possession of a firearm in relation to a crime of violence.

Defense lawyers have argued that members would not pose a threat to the community if they are released on bail before their trial, the Detroit Free Press reported.

Prosecutors said the men, arrested last month, planned to kill a police officer and to detonate explosives at the subsequent funeral.

"Two-thirds of the Hutaree members are still out," prosecutor Ronald Waterstreet told the court.

Federal officials know of about 25 members of the Hutaree militia besides the nine who were arrested in March, FBI Special Agent Leslie Larsen testified Tuesday.

"We know roughly who they are and where they're located," Larsen said.