Some Charges Against NATO 3 Dropped

By aaroncynic in News on Jan 15, 2014 8:40PM

Brent Betterly, Brian Church and Jared Chase have been charged in an alleged NATO summit terror plot. (Chicago Police Department booking photos.)

Four out of the 11 charges against the “NATO 3” were dropped Tuesday as jury selection for the trial began. Cook County prosecutors dismissed some of the arson and weapons charges against Brent Betterly, Jared Chase, and Brian Church, three men who were arrested last year just prior to the 2012 NATO summit and its surrounding protests.

Counts of attempted arson, conspiracy to commit arson and two counts of unlawful use of a weapon were dropped just prior to jury selection proceedings. No formal explanation was given, but an unnamed source told the Sun-Times the charges against the three men were dismissed to “simplify” matters for jurors when opening statements begin next week.

Betterly, Chase and Church now face seven counts, including providing material support for terrorism and conspiracy to commit terrorism. Opening statements are scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 21.