(Reuters) – A third day of federal jury deliberations began Wednesday for the case of the four defendants in a plot against Michigan Governor Rick Snyder. This case highlights the political rift that exists around government’s response the COVID-19 pandemic.

Prosecutors claimed that Barry Croft Jr., Barry Caserta, and Daniel Harris had planned to rob Governor Gretchen Whitmer of her Michigan vacation house in order to lift what they believed were draconian controls imposed on the Democrat by trying to stem the spread coronavirus.

Prosecutors said that the defendants hoped that the kidnapping would ignite a second American civil War ahead of 2020’s presidential election.

Defense attorneys claimed that FBI informants forced their clients to discuss the plot during a nearly one-month-long trial. Their attorneys claimed that the men did not make any concrete plans and they were victims to overreach and entrapment by the prosecution.

The jury of 12 asked Robert Jonker, U.S. District Judge for transcripts from Tuesday’s trial testimony. According to the Detroit Free Press, he declined the request saying that the transcripts of the trial were not available yet and that the jurors should rely only on their memories.

This case spotlights two militant right-wing groups that emerged since the election of former President Donald Trump in 2016. This case also shows how the Pandemic and the government’s efforts to contain it has become an issue of wedge in American politics. It pushes some people to the extremes.

The kidnapping conspiracy charges have been filed against all four defendants. Fox, Croft, and Harris were all charged with conspiracy to use a weapons of mass destruction. They could be sentenced to life in prison if they are convicted.

Ty Garbin (originally charged) and Kalen Franks (later indicted), both reached plea agreements and were star witnesses at the trial. Garbin is serving a 6-year sentence. Franks will be sentencing soon.

These four men, along Garbin and Franks are just two of 13 people who were taken into custody in October 2020. They have been charged with federal or state crimes for the kidnapping plot. Seven are currently facing state court charges.

FBI claimed it started tracking movements of the group after becoming aware of online discussion posts that discussed the overthrow or destruction state governments. They wanted to lift the ban on social and commercial activities created by the coronavirus epidemic.

The prosecution also claimed they wanted to begin a second American Civil War. Defense attorneys, however, said that clients often drank heavily and were more likely to engage in “crazy talk” than take any concrete actions.

Harris, Caserta, and an undercover witness who gave evidence at the trial, were all members of the Wolverine Watchmen militia group, according to prosecutors. Croft, Fox and a member of the “Three Percenters,” an organization similar to far-right.