Known only as Dave, he nearly made it as a juror in the Kwame Kilpatrick pubic corruption trial only to get booted off in the next to last round. He contacted Fox 2 and spoke with our Charlie Langton.
Specifics about his identity as reported by some media outlets like where he lives, how many children he has, a criminal history and the name of his employer prompted Judge Nancy Edmonds to admonish the media and take extra steps to protect the identity of the future Kilpatrick jurors.
"This is really (disconcerting). We were supposed to be under conditions of anonymity. I do know that you guys have the right to the First Amendment, but you got to know when to draw the line," said Dave.
In a request by Jim Thomas, Kilpatrick's attorney, to change venue, Thomas felt some jurors were intimidated by the media. Not Dave.
Why is he talking now?
"Just to get the side of the juror out. You hear the side of the government. You hear the side of the defense, but it's always good to hear another side to the story."
Dave felt overwhelmed by the process.
"When they call your number and you walked into the room, I mean it was amazing."
So did Dave have an opinion of Kwame Kilpatrick?
"He looked nervous. Somebody walking with their hands in their pockets isn't necessarily somebody walking with confidence. Some of the facial expressions that he was making are some of the same facial expressions, you know curling his bottom lip under his top teeth, sometimes that's what I do when I'm nervous."
Dave said potential jurors only talked to each other about the four month length of the trial.
Does he want to know why he was kicked off and by whom?
"I would like to know why and who," he said. "Absolutely could've been fair. Would've been fair. Am fair. Maybe they made a mistake."
Just to make it clear, it should be known that we did not go out and solicit Dave. The reason he wanted his identity shielded is that some personal information did come out about Dave's background in court that we did not put in this story.
Latest Development in the Kilpatrick Corruption TrialMore>>
Wednesday, May 22 2013 1:36 PM EDT2013-05-22 17:36:39 GMT
Innuendo, sexual advances and an overnight stay in Lansing -- a politician's former aide claims he had to endure a nightmare on the job. Now a sexual harassment lawsuit has been filed against Rep. Brian Banks.
Innuendo, sexual advances and an overnight stay in Lansing -- a politician's former aide claims he had to endure a nightmare on the job. Now a sexual harassment lawsuit has been filed against Rep. Brian Banks.
Monday, May 20 2013 8:28 PM EDT2013-05-21 00:28:46 GMT
As Bobby Ferguson faces a retrial on bid-rigging charges, he may have to represent himself. He refuses to fill out an application needed to determine if he qualifies for a court appointed lawyer.
As Bobby Ferguson faces a retrial on bid-rigging charges, he may have to represent himself. He refuses to fill out an application needed to determine if he qualifies for a court appointed lawyer.
Thursday, May 16 2013 12:15 AM EDT2013-05-16 04:15:25 GMT
State Representative Brian Banks has been in Lansing for less than five months, but some of his actions are already raising questions about his judgment.
State Representative Brian Banks has been in Lansing for less than five months, but some of his actions are already raising questions about his judgment.
Monday, April 29 2013 10:14 PM EDT2013-04-30 02:14:03 GMT
Ten air traffic controllers at City Airport are facing layoffs. Unless federal bureaucrats act fast, Detroit could soon be known as the home of the "elevator to nowhere."
Ten air traffic controllers at City Airport are facing layoffs, raising concerns about safety and government waste. Most folks have heard of the "bridge to nowhere." Now, unless federal bureaucrats act fast, Detroit could soon be known as the home of the "elevator to nowhere."
Wednesday, April 17 2013 8:10 PM EDT2013-04-18 00:10:55 GMT
Kwame Kilpatrick's conviction on public corruption charges seemed to grant the former mayor's wish that Detroit could move forward, but this drama will have a second act -- his sentencing.
Kwame Kilpatrick's conviction on public corruption charges seemed to grant the former mayor's wish that Detroit could move forward, but this drama will have a second act -- his sentencing.
Monday, May 20 2013 9:54 PM EDT2013-05-21 01:54:16 GMT
Wayne County Circuit Judge Wade McCree is fighting to save his job and his career. Monday, the woman who was once his mistress testified about their numerous sexual encounters.
He once said there was no shame in his game, but now Wayne County Circuit Judge Wade McCree is fighting to save his job and his career. Monday, the woman who was once his mistress testified about their numerous sexual encounters.
Wednesday, April 10 2013 10:27 PM EDT2013-04-11 02:27:52 GMT
Proposed legislation in the state House aimed at leveling income inequality would require employers to explain why a person doing the same job is making more money.
Proposed legislation in the state House aimed at leveling income inequality would require employers to explain why a person doing the same job is making more money.
Thursday, April 4 2013 11:31 PM EDT2013-04-05 03:31:44 GMT
It could soon be the wave of the future in air travel. The cost of your ticket might be based on how much you weigh. Samoa Air is already doing it, but is it fair? Charlie Langton took "Let It Rip" on the road.
It could soon be the wave of the future in air travel. The cost of your ticket might be based on how much you weigh. Samoa Air is already doing it, but is it fair? Charlie Langton took "Let It Rip" on the road.
Thursday, March 28 2013 10:47 PM EDT2013-03-29 02:47:00 GMT
It was a historic week for the City of Detroit and the State of Michigan. Two unprecedented laws took effect Thursday, and protestors were riled up and digging in, planning for a long fight.
It was a historic week for the City of Detroit and the State of Michigan. Two unprecedented laws took effect Thursday, and protestors were riled up and digging in, planning for a long fight.
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.
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