Wednesday, March 13 2013 11:46 AM EDT2013-03-13 15:46:16 GMT
Bernard Kilpatrick was only convicted of filing a false tax return. Watch the undercover video in Taryn Asher's report and see if you think he is guilty of something more.
Bernard Kilpatrick was only convicted of filing a false tax return. Watch the undercover video in Taryn Asher's report and see if you think he is guilty of something more.
Monday, March 11 2013 4:22 PM EDT2013-03-11 20:22:24 GMT
Kilpatrick wore a surprised, puzzled look at times as U.S. District Judge Nancy Edmunds read the jury's verdict: guilty of 24 charges, not guilty on three and no consensus on three more.
Kilpatrick wore a surprised, puzzled look at times as U.S. District Judge Nancy Edmunds read the jury's verdict: guilty of 24 charges, not guilty on three and no consensus on three more.
Monday, March 11 2013 7:10 PM EDT2013-03-11 23:10:36 GMT
The U.S. attorney is very satisfied with the verdict in the Kilpatrick corruption case. She had a lot to say about the ex-mayor using his power at city hall to turn a personal profit.
The U.S. attorney is very satisfied with the verdict in the Kilpatrick corruption case. She had a lot to say about the ex-mayor using his power at city hall to turn a personal profit.
Monday, March 11 2013 12:50 PM EDT2013-03-11 16:50:53 GMT
Bobby Ferguson, a friend of former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, has been convicted of a federal racketeering conspiracy charge, which carries a maximum punishment of 20 years behind bars.
Bobby Ferguson, a friend of former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, has been convicted of a federal racketeering conspiracy charge, which carries a maximum punishment of 20 years behind bars.
Monday, March 11 2013 11:59 AM EDT2013-03-11 15:59:57 GMT
Former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick didn't have much to say as he walked out of federal court Monday, just minutes after he was convicted of corruption charges.
Former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick didn't have much to say as he walked out of federal court Monday, just minutes after he was convicted of corruption charges.
Monday, March 11 2013 10:25 AM EDT2013-03-11 14:25:47 GMT
A jury will decide the fate of Kwame Kilpatrick, Bernard Kilpatrick and Bobby Ferguson. Jurors' responses to questionnaires may provide insight on the decision.
A jury will decide the fate of Kwame Kilpatrick, Bernard Kilpatrick and Bobby Ferguson. Jurors' responses to questionnaires may provide insight on the decision.
DETROIT (WJBK) -
The public corruption case against Kwame Kilpatrick is about to take center stage, but as 400 potential jurors filed into federal court to fill out questionnaires, Kilpatrick and his attorney dropped a bit of a bombshell -- a conflict of interest between him and his longtime lawyer Jim Thomas.
Thomas, however, says he is still on the case.
"I don't think there's any chance that I'm not going to be doing this trial. We have really, really agonized over the trial date and the preparation for this case. It may turn out that there is going to have to be an issue addressed, and when it is, I think that that will be more clear."
Thomas refused to discuss the conflict of interest. The judge set a hearing for Tuesday, but Fox 2 legal analyst Charlie Langton questions the timing. Do to the mountains of evidence, the defense attorneys have tried to have the case delayed in the past.
"This could be a delay tactic," he said. "There's a lot of evidence to go through, and by creating this conflict of interest, the conflict meaning he didn't have enough time to prepare, and that might be legit to allow him more time to prepare."
But Thomas says he's prepared and this conflict will only delay when attorneys get to see the jury questionnaires.
Potential jurors spent the day filling out the 25 page questionnaires. 80 people will be chosen for actual questioning to select 18 people to serve as the jury and alternates for what is expected to be a four month trial.
It's a huge case. Kilpatrick, his father, Bernard, his best friend Bobby Ferguson and the former head of the Detroit Water Department, Victor Mercado, are accused of conspiracy, extortion and fraud.
"We're looking for people that can be fair and impartial and can set aside the five or six years of negative publicity that some of these defendants have had and judge the case on the evidence," said Mike Rataj, Ferguson's attorney.
We asked him if he thinks that is possible.
"I don't know. If I had my crystal ball out, okay, then maybe I could give you an answer, but I don't know."
Also not known, the mysterious conflict on interest that suddenly exists between Kwame Kilpatrick and his attorney.
"Are you withdrawing from the case or thinking about it," Langton asked Thomas.
"I am not withdrawing at this time, and I have no intention of withdrawing. My name is Jim Thomas. I am not other lawyers that you might know."
Wednesday, May 22 2013 11:20 PM EDT2013-05-23 03:20:38 GMT
Neighbors said he threatened them with a shotgun, then opened fire wounding two people. Now one of the victims has said he's angry the man accused of pulling the trigger is already out of jail.
Neighbors said he threatened them with a shotgun, then opened fire wounding two people. Now one of the victims has said he's angry the man accused of pulling the trigger is already out of jail.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 8:57 PM EDT2013-05-23 00:57:50 GMT
Prosecutors have now filed charges against Myron Williams, a next door neighbor to a woman found strangled in Grosse Pointe Park, but the counts do not include murder.
Prosecutors have now filed charges against Myron Williams, a next door neighbor to a woman found strangled in Grosse Pointe Park, but the counts do not include murder.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 8:17 PM EDT2013-05-22 00:17:22 GMT
We are learning more about the past of the man currently in police custody in connection with the murder of 35-year-old Sabrina Gianino.
We are learning more about the past of the man currently in police custody in connection with the murder of 35-year-old Sabrina Gianino. 42-year-old Myron Williams is on probation in Michigan for a drug paraphernalia charge. He also has quite a past in Louisiana.
Monday, May 20 2013 7:30 PM EDT2013-05-20 23:30:05 GMT
There are new developments in the murder of a young woman in Grosse Pointe Park. Police have a person in custody in connection with the death of Sabrina Gianino, who was found strangled last week.
There are new developments in the murder of a young woman in Grosse Pointe Park. Police have a person in custody in connection with the death of Sabrina Gianino, who was found strangled last week.
Friday, May 17 2013 8:43 PM EDT2013-05-18 00:43:34 GMT
Sabrina Gianino was found dead with a cord around her neck inside a Grosse Pointe Park home early Thursday morning. The medical examiner has ruled her death a homicide.
Sabrina Gianino was found dead with a cord around her neck inside a Grosse Pointe Park home early Thursday morning. The medical examiner has ruled her death a homicide.
Thursday, May 23 2013 1:30 PM EDT2013-05-23 17:30:30 GMT
The incident forcing the partial evacuation of Detroit Metropolitan Airport for hours one day last month was triggered by law enforcement officials' belief that they'd found an improvised explosive device in luggage.
The incident forcing the partial evacuation of Detroit Metropolitan Airport for hours one day last month was triggered by law enforcement officials' belief that they'd found an improvised explosive device in luggage.
Thursday, May 23 2013 12:28 PM EDT2013-05-23 16:28:22 GMT
One week after appearing via satellite on the American Idol season finale the Queen of Soul has rescheduled next month's planned performance at the DTE Energy Music Theatre.
One week after appearing via satellite on the American Idol season finale the Queen of Soul has rescheduled next month's planned performance at the DTE Energy Music Theatre.
Thursday, May 23 2013 11:48 AM EDT2013-05-23 15:48:50 GMT
Former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick is dropping his longtime lawyer. Kilpatrick told a judge Thursday that his relationship with James Thomas deteriorated long before his conviction.
Former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick is dropping his longtime lawyer. Kilpatrick told a judge Thursday that his relationship with James Thomas deteriorated long before his conviction two months ago on corruption charges.
Thursday, May 23 2013 10:59 AM EDT2013-05-23 14:59:53 GMT
Bugs are important to our environment and can even tell us about our water quality. That's why dozens on local students have been taking part in bug hunts.
Bugs are important to our environment and can even tell us about our water quality. That's why dozens on local students have been taking part in bug hunts.
Thursday, May 23 2013 7:58 AM EDT2013-05-23 11:58:41 GMT
New U.S. Census Bureau estimates say Detroit's population remained just above 700,000 last year. The figures show Detroit lost residents between 2011 and 2012, but the decline was at a slower pace than in previous years.
New U.S. Census Bureau estimates say Detroit's population remained just above 700,000 last year. The figures show Detroit lost residents between 2011 and 2012, but the decline was at a slower pace than in previous years.
Former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick (middle) arrives at federal court in Detroit Wednesday.
Bernard Kilpatrick arrives at a Detroit federal courthouse Wednesday.
Bobby Ferguson (middle) arrives at a Detroit federal courthouse Wednesday.
