DETROIT (WKZO) -- Saying that the government's case was built largely upon circumstantial evidence, a federal judge acquitted seven members of the Hutaree militia.

The defendants were accused of planning to kill a police officer and then murder members of law enforcement during the funeral.  Defense attorneys argued that while their clients did engage in offensive talk about the police and the government, that talk was protected by the First Amendment and did not amount to a conspiracy.

While seven defendants were acquitted, the trial against Hutaree leader David Stone Senior and one other defendant will continue.