After 100 hours of deliberation, a jury has found Kwame Kilpatrick, former Mayor of Detroit, guilty on most counts in the corruption trial, according to several Detroit news outlets, Monday, March 11.
Kwame Kilpatrick and friend, Bernard Ferguson was both found guilty on Ct. 1, racketeering, which is the biggest charge. Both were found guilty on extortion and mail fraud as well.
The prosecutors were able to show that Kwame Kilpatrick used his office of Mayor of the city of Detroit for personal gain.
No cameras are allowed in the courtroom. Judge Nancy Edmonds, presiding judge over the trial in the Eastern District of Michigan Federal Courthouse, read the 22-page verdict. Court began session at 10:32 am, ET.
The jury consisted of eight women and four men. The jury gave a note to the judge on Friday, “but wanted to sleep over the weekend,” stated Judge Edmonds.
The courtroom was packed, and every seat was filled. Kwame Kilpatrick’s grandparents were in attendance; he escorted them in when they arrived.
Defendant, Bernard Kilpatrick, Kwame’s father, entered the back of the courthouse with a driver.
Defendant, Bobby Ferguson said upon arrival, “God is good, whatever happens, happens.” When Ferguson left, he said, “God is good, my faith is strong.”
Judge Edmonds thanked AT&T, Yankee Air Museum, before reading the verdict.
Racketeering is the first and most important charge – Kwame faces a 20-year prison term.
The jury reached a verdict on 40 of 45 charges; the parties will meet with the Judge later Monday to decide what to do on the five undecided counts.
Inside the courtroom, as reported, Kwame Kilpatrick was “Standing and shaking his head ever so stunned.” Bobby Ferguson was standing and looking down.
The jury exited to the jury room after the reading of the verdict.
Again, Kwame Kilpatrick and Bobby Ferguson have been convicted of Racketeering; Ct. 1 in a jury trial, in the city of Detroit on Monday, March 11.
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