who was the prosecuting attorney in the kwame kilpatrick trial

by Miss Rebekah Hammes 6 min read

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Text-messaging scandal

The charges stem from a political - sex scandal emerging from a sexual relationship between Detroit Mayor Kilpatrick and his chief of staff Christine Beatty. The revelation of this extra-marital affair was confirmed in text messages exchanged between Kilpatrick and Beatty.

Legal defense fund

To help offset the cost of Kilpatrick's criminal defense team, a fund was set up to raise money.

About Kwame Kilpatrick

When he was elected in 2002, Kwame Kilpatrick was the youngest mayor in the history of Detroit. After numerous scandals and controversies, Mr. Kilpatrick eventually entered a guilty plea to two felonies charges.

What I Learned from Representing Kwame Kilpatrick

During my two years representing Mr. Kilpatrick, I learned the value of dedication and hard work to obtaining justice. Even though he had a seasoned legal team before I represented him, I was able to successfully replace them as Mr. Kilpatrick’s lead attorney during some of the earliest days of my legal career. Mr.

How Does My Experience with This Case Benefit My Clients?

Today, I use my experience from the Kwame Kilpatrick as evidence that hard work and tireless dedication results in the best possible outcome, no matter how difficult the situation for my clients.

Does Worthy have a strong case?

"Yeah, I think that's probably the case, but it's a long way from the signing of a warrant to the announcement of a jury verdict," said Birmingham criminal lawyer Robert Harrison. "A lot of things can happen."

How much did Kilpatrick use to buy his silence?

In her news conference, which brought much of metro Detroit to a standstill, Worthy said Kilpatrick ruined the lives of three former police officers who were connected to an investigation of his family, then used $8.4 million in tax money to buy their silence when he learned their lawyer had obtained text messages showing he and Beatty lied at trial.

Why did Worthy chastize other city officials?

Worthy chastised other, unnamed city officials for hindering her investigation, saying her office had to appeal to the state Supreme Court and the local courts for assistance at some point in her two-month effort. She would not elaborate because she has used investigative subpoenas, which are confidential, in seeking certain information from the city.

What charges did Kilpatrick and Ferguson face?

Among other charges, Kwame Kilpatrick and Ferguson were convicted of RICO, or racketeering charges, federal laws that were created to punish ongoing criminal acts performed by a criminal organization. According to WXYZ, some jurors have expressed an interest in talking to the media and will address reporters soon.

Why did Tony Soave hire Ferguson?

Detroit businessman Tony Soave and other businesspeople with city work say they were forced to hire Ferguson as a subcontractor if they wanted to win city deals. In court, Soave told jurors that Kilpatrick racked up $389,000 in travel on his private plane.

What did the Kilpatrick Civic Fund do?

Among other accusations from the case, federal prosecutors have said that Kilpatrick operated a fund for the needy called the Kilpatrick Civic Fund, with the aim of helping Detroiters in need. Instead, they said, the former mayor used the money for yoga classes, golf clubs and vacations.

How old was Bernard Kilpatrick's father?

Kilpatrick’s 71-year-old father, Bernard Kilpatrick, was only found guilty of one tax count. Jurors deliberated for 15 days before announcing that they were ready to vote on a verdict. The 12 members of this jury have spent 79 hours total deliberating all the details from the five-month trial.

Why did the ex mayor spend a weekend in jail?

In January the ex-mayor spent a weekend in jail for violating his parole by not reporting cash gifts he received in 2012.

Who is the father of Bobby Ferguson?

The five month corruption trial alleged that Kilpatrick, his father Bernard Kilpatrick and contractor Bobby Ferguson ran a criminal enterprise out of Detroit’s City Hall. Prosecutors said the former Detroit mayor, who has already served over a year in prison for perjury, spent $840,000 more during his tenure than he earned.

Who thanked the 12 members of the jury before reading the verdict?

U.S. District Judge Nancy Edmunds thanked the 12 members of the jury before reading the verdict, saying, "These jurors did an extraordinary job."

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Overview

On March 24, 2008, Wayne County, Michigan Prosecutor Kym Worthy announced a 12-count criminal indictment against Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick and his former Chief of Staff and paramour Christine Beatty. Kilpatrick was charged with eight felonies and Beatty with seven. Charges for both included perjury, misconduct in office and obstruction of justice. Worthy also suggested that oth…

Text-messaging scandal

The charges stem from a political-sex scandal emerging from a sexual relationship between Detroit Mayor Kilpatrick and his chief of staff Christine Beatty. The revelation of this extra-marital affair was confirmed in text messages exchanged between Kilpatrick and Beatty. The text messages appear to contradict testimony that Kilpatrick and Beatty gave at a trial in 2007 in regards to whether they had an affair and had fired an officer for investigating the mayor's behavior. The City of Detroit s…

Criminal charges

See also: Details of Charges File Against Kilpatrick and Christine Beatty
• Count 1: Conspiracy to obstruct justice (5-year maximum sentence)
• Count 2: Obstruction of justice. Accused of firing Detroit Deputy Police Chief Gary Brown as part of an effort to illegally hamper a criminal investigation and committing perjury to hide the firing of Brown or a relationship between the mayor and Beatty. (5-year maximum sentence)

Legal defense fund

To help offset the cost of Kilpatrick's criminal defense team, a fund was set up to raise money. According to Kilpatrick legal team spokesman Christopher Garrett, the fund's membership committee included former mayor of San Francisco, Willie Brown; Detroit native and television personality Judge Greg Mathis; Malik Zulu Shabazz, the leader of the New Black Panthers in Detroit; and S. Martin Taylor, a former DTE executive and a University of Michigan regent. However, withi…