On secret recording, Christian militia leader advocates killing police to deter recruitment

Transcript: Militia chief advocates killing ‘cops’

DETROIT — A Christian militia leader accused of plotting to incite a violent revolt against the government says in a transcript of a secretly recorded audio tape that killing police would deter people from joining the force.

The Associated Press obtained the transcript Thursday. It lists David Brian Stone of rural southern Michigan as saying: “You kill enough cops, you can’t get enough people to take the job.”

Audio clips of the tape also were obtained by CNN and were available Thursday on its Web site. Parts of the tape were played during a March 31 bond hearing in Detroit federal court.

Stone, his two sons, wife and five other suspects face seditious conspiracy and other charges.

Defense attorneys argue their clients are protected by the right to free speech.