Jury selection in the corruption trial of former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick is entering an important stage as candidates appear in court for interviews.
Jury selection in the corruption trial of former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick is entering an important stage as candidates appear in court for interviews.
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.
SOUTHFIELD, Mich. (MyFox Detroit) -
Jury selection in the corruption trial of former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick is entering an important stage as candidates appear in court for interviews.
Federal Judge Nancy Edmunds and four defense attorneys will ask questions starting Thursday. The potential jurors will not be identified by name in court.
"Picking the jury, Charlie, is probably one of the most important aspects of any criminal trial. I mean, it's everything," said Mike Rataj, attorney for Bobby Ferguson.
What type of juror would Kwame Kilpatrick want?
"Someone who hasn't prejudged the case. Someone that can resist the barrage of all the pre-trial publicity that's going on around this case. Someone who understands the presumption of innocence," Rataj said.
What type of juror would the government want?
"A compliant person. A person that respects authority," said jury consultant Stephen Hnat.
A pool of 447 potential jurors were asked to fill out a questionnaire of 122 questions. Many of those questions had to do with race.
From the 477 potential jurors, 252 were dismissed by the judge, some because they had previous commitments, but many because they just couldn't be fair. The remaining 225 jurors will be whittled down to twelve final jurors and six alternates.
The only time Kwame Kilpatrick came face to face with a jury was back in 2007 when he was mayor. The jury was only out about three hours when they came back and hit the city for $6.5 million.
However, that was a civil trial. This is a criminal trial, and Kilpatrick doesn't even have to take the stand. Nevertheless, jurors have a way of sizing up the body language even if the criminal defendant doesn't testify.
"At the end of the day will say to themselves and will be comfortable saying to themselves, yeah, they may be guilty, but I'm not going to let the government get away with this," said Hnat.
"Do I know what a juror's thinking? Every time I try a case, no I don't. I'm not clairvoyant, Charlie. Geez, I wish I was," Rataj said.
Wednesday, June 12 2013 7:59 PM EDT2013-06-12 23:59:45 GMT
A jury has been seated for the trial of Tucker Cipriano. The teen and his friend are charged with beating Cipriano's father to death with a baseball bat and badly injuring his mother and brother.
A jury has been seated for the trial of Tucker Cipriano. The teen and his friend are charged with beating Cipriano's father to death with a baseball bat and badly injuring his mother and brother.
Monday, June 10 2013 6:25 PM EDT2013-06-10 22:25:21 GMT
Jury selection began on Monday in the trial of Tucker Cipriano and Mitchell Young. The judge also issued a gag order.
Jury selection began on Monday in the trial of Tucker Cipriano and Mitchell Young. The judge also issued a gag order. Cipriano and Young are accused of brutally beating Cipriano's father to death in April of 2012.
Friday, May 31 2013 5:02 PM EDT2013-05-31 21:02:47 GMT
Reaction to Pulte's decision to move its headquarters out of Michigan from some of the leaders on Mackinac Island ranged from shock to disappointment. But is there a light at the end of the tunnel?
Reaction to Pulte's decision to move its headquarters out of Michigan from some of the leaders on Mackinac Island ranged from shock to disappointment. But is there a light at the end of the tunnel?
Friday, December 7 2012 9:43 AM EST2012-12-07 14:43:41 GMT
Viewers have been waking up to Al Allen for nearly 30 years here at WJBK. On Friday, Al will call it quits, retiring after 40-plus years in the news business.
Viewers have been waking up to Al Allen for nearly 30 years here at WJBK. On Friday, Al will call it quits, retiring after 40-plus years in the news business.
Monday, November 26 2012 6:30 PM EST2012-11-26 23:30:54 GMT
A building that used to house a flea market in southwest Detroit is now an empty shell after a fire gutted the place Monday morning. It's not clear yet how that fire started.
A building that used to house a flea market in southwest Detroit is now an empty shell after a fire gutted the place Monday morning. It's not clear yet how that fire started.
Wednesday, November 21 2012 11:10 AM EST2012-11-21 16:10:45 GMT
Travelers are crossing Michigan to their holiday travel destinations. AAA Michigan estimates that more than 1.3 million state residents will travel 50 miles or more during this year's Thanksgiving period.
Travelers are crossing Michigan to their holiday travel destinations. AAA Michigan estimates that more than 1.3 million state residents will travel 50 miles or more during this year's Thanksgiving period.
Tuesday, November 20 2012 11:34 AM EST2012-11-20 16:34:58 GMT
On the eve of one of the busiest times for holiday travel the Transportation Security Administration is helping to remind passengers about the latest security measures now in place.
On the eve of one of the busiest times for holiday travel the Transportation Security Administration is helping to remind passengers about the latest security measures now in place.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 11:26 PM EDT2013-06-20 03:26:37 GMT
Mitchell Young's trial got underway on Wednesday. He is accused in the murder of Robert Cipriano and the beatings of Robert's wife, Rose, and son, Sal.
Mitchell Young's trial got underway on Wednesday. He is accused in the murder of Robert Cipriano and the beatings of Robert's wife, Rose, and son, Sal.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 9:52 PM EDT2013-06-20 01:52:15 GMT
The Detroit Red Wings and city officials on Wednesday announced a $650 million plan for a new arena development for the NHL team in Detroit's downtown entertainment and sports district.
The Detroit Red Wings and city officials on Wednesday announced a $650 million plan for a new arena development for the NHL team in Detroit's downtown entertainment and sports district.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 9:39 PM EDT2013-06-20 01:39:53 GMT
The state's school superintendent and treasurer could dissolve a deficit-ridden district and send the students to nearby schools under legislation narrowly approved Wednesday by a divided Michigan Senate.
The state's school superintendent and treasurer could dissolve a deficit-ridden district and send the students to nearby schools under legislation narrowly approved Wednesday by a divided Michigan Senate.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 9:33 PM EDT2013-06-20 01:33:24 GMT
Gov. Rick Snyder on Wednesday cut short his trade trip to Israel to return home and lobby reluctant fellow Republicans to expand Medicaid to more Michigan adults...
Gov. Rick Snyder on Wednesday cut short his trade trip to Israel to return home and lobby reluctant fellow Republicans to expand Medicaid to more Michigan adults, as the clock ticked before lawmakers break for the summer.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 9:21 PM EDT2013-06-20 01:21:00 GMT
Dequindre-Emery Playlot had become grossly overgrown. George Bearid said enough is enough and began mowing on Sunday. Now several neighbors have joined the effort to clean up the park.
Dequindre-Emery Playlot had become grossly overgrown. George Bearid said enough is enough and began mowing on Sunday. Now several neighbors have joined the effort to clean up the park.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 8:03 PM EDT2013-06-20 00:03:28 GMT
"I don't blame the clerk," Mike Duggan said as he ended his mayoral bid. Two courts ruled he cannot be on the ballot because he had not lived in Detroit for a year when he filed.
"I don't blame the clerk," Mike Duggan said as he ended his mayoral bid. Two courts ruled he cannot be on the ballot because he had not lived in Detroit for a year when he filed.