A federal jury on Monday ruled that defendants Schaeffer Cox and Lonnie Vernon of the Fairbanks-based Alaska Peacemakers Militia were both guilty on the most serious charge facing them -- conspiracy to murder.
Cox was found guilty of a total of nine of the 11 counts he was charged with. Vernon was guilty of two of the three counts against him, including the conspiracy to murder charge.
Both militia members had conspired to kill a federal judge and law enforcement officials, the jury decided.
The jury found fellow defendant Coleman Barney guilty of two counts and not guilty of two others. The jury was hung on the conspiracy to murder charge against Barney.
Very good news! This means life for at least Cox and Vernon, though it looks like Barney may have dodged a bullet. Pardon the pun.
Now hopefully we will be free to tell the rest of the story.
Stay tuned folks.
Update: ADN has more. Schaeffer Cox erupted after the verdicts were read.
"The prosecutors withheld evidence from you guys!" he said to the jurors.
The judge said "Mr. Cox, please."
Some of the jurors teared up after the verdicts were read.
The judge told them they were the hardest-working jury he had ever seen on such a complicated case.
Somehow I think this verdict knocked that cocky grin right off Schaeffer Cox's face.
Now he is headed to PMITA prison. And in my opinion it couldn't happen to a more deserving guy.
