Will Kwame Kilpatrick get shot at a do-over?

**Vic01** · January-13-15, 06:54 AM

Kwame Kilpatrick's trial lasted five months, with dozens of witnesses taking the stand. Now the former mayor wants a do-over. A court in Ohio is going to listen to arguments Tuesday as to why he should get a new trial.
The last time we saw Kilpatrick he was convicted by a jury of racketeering and sentenced to 28 years in prison. Among his crimes were ripping off Detroit taxpayers in a pay-for-play city contract scheme with his buddy Bobby Ferguson.
For the past year, Kilpatrick has been serving time in Oklahoma. Guards tell him when to wake, what to eat, what to wear and when to sleep, but those who know the former mayor of Detroit said Tuesday is the day he has been waiting for, to get his shot at a new trial.
"He is a very bright man," said Local 4 legal expert Todd Flood. "He is no slouch, he will be assisting in his defense."
The 6th Circuit Federal Court of Appeals has agreed to hear oral arguments as to why Kilpatrick should get a new trial. His best shot is the argument that his attorney, James Thomas, knew and represented some of the witnesses who testified against Kilpatrick.
Kilpatrick tried to fire Thomas just days before his trial but the judge said no, instead offering Kilpatrick an additional attorney to handle the parts of the case that could be a conflict of interest.
"I think this judge did a good job of making sure the defendant's right were protected and [[the) law was followed," said Local 4 legal expert Andy Arena.

Keith Corbett was a U.S. attorney for 30 years. He said Kilpatrick can ask for a new trial but that doesn't mean he will get one
"You have right to the council of your choice but you don't have the right to continually delay the trial," Corbett said.
Neil Rockind has argued before the court on other cases. He said Kilpatrick's attorney will have only 20 minutes to convince a three-juror panel. Then co-defendant Bobby Ferguson's attorney gets 20 minutes. The prosecutors have 40 minutes to say why Kilpatrick's trial was fair. Rockind said these are excellent, no-nonsense justices making the decision.
"The 6th Circuit [[Court) has the reputation of being one of the better in the country -- call it pretty straight," Rockind said.

http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/k...oover/30669784

**Zacha341** · January-13-15, 06:56 AM

Do we [[the remaining citizens of Detroit) get a do over? I did not think so.

**aj3647** · January-13-15, 07:03 AM

Who's footing the legal bills for this one? Isn't Kwame supposed to be broke?

**Danny** · January-13-15, 07:22 AM

OH NO!!! Ya'lls boy is back!

**SWMAP** · January-13-15, 07:32 AM

The Detnews story on Beatty's troubles says that she "specializes in how to run a business" and her lawyer says she doesn't get a job because potential employers lol her up on google and see the KK history. That has to be only one part of it. Exactly what does Beatty have in her career toolbox on how to run or start a business? She was a social worker until she went to Lansing with KK, and then she was a political operative. She started to study Law.
Wouldn't the nuts and bolts of her business experience be really slim to non-existent?
So, it's a bunch of hogwash. She was likely trying to get some business lobbying job - and no one would touch her with a ten-foot pole.

**Honky Tonk** · January-13-15, 07:42 AM

Originally Posted by Zacha341

Do we [[the remaining citizens of Detroit) get a do over? I did not think so.

Nice......

**Honky Tonk** · January-13-15, 07:44 AM

Originally Posted by aj3647

Who's footing the legal bills for this one? Isn't Kwame supposed to be broke?

"[[the remaining citizens of Detroit)"

**Smirnoff** · January-13-15, 09:55 AM

Pompadour with a bald-fade.....?

**cla1945** · January-13-15, 10:10 AM

The citizens may get a do over in time, retirees will never get one. With thug KK's corrupt organization, they raped and pillaged Detroit for years, leaving only a shell of a city. More than likely, he has Detroit's money stashed in Swiss bank accounts or in the islands somewhere. The taxpayers paid for his trials, his lawyers, even his orders of food from Fishbones while he was in jail. He was a lawyer and I'm sure, with Thomas's help, they figured out a way for him to be able to get a hearing if he was found guilty. This isn't a surprise to me, he is a devious, corrupt person and certainly knows how to work the system.
i would implore the courts to listen to his lawyers plea for 20 minutes, then tell him and thug KK to crawl back under the rocks they came from and put this thing to rest.

**BankruptcyGuy** · January-13-15, 10:41 AM

Originally Posted by aj3647

Who's footing the legal bills for this one? Isn't Kwame supposed to be broke?

You are. His appeal is taxpayer funded.

He has a 0.0% chance and he knows it.

**Honky Tonk** · January-13-15, 11:34 AM

Originally Posted by BankruptcyGuy

You are. His appeal is taxpayer funded.

He has a 0.0% chance and he knows it.

Luxury suite or not, by now that cell's got to be getting tight. These appeals are a good way to get some fresh air and stretch your legs a bit.

**Hamtragedy** · January-13-15, 01:34 PM

I'm not quite sure of the extent the Governor of Virginia's wrong-doings, but he just got a two year sentence last week. Bribery, kickbacks, among other gifts, vacations, etc. Two years vs 28 years is pretty extreme & maybe it gives KK hope.

Then again, Blagojovic got 14.