Kwame Kilpatrick jailed after Detroit corruption conviction

Gus Burns | By Gus Burns |
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on March 11, 2013 at 3:00 PM, updated March 11, 2013 at 9:14 PM
Kwame Kilpatrick's trial verdict Media swarms Bobby Ferguson who was found guilty of 9 of 11 racketeering and extortion counts outside the Theodore Levin Federal U.S. Courthouse in Detroit on Monday, March, 11. Ferguson is Ex- Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick's long-time contractor friend. Kilpatrick, the focus of the 6-month-long trial was found guilty on 24 of 30 counts, including racketeering and extortion convictions. Kwame Kilpatrick's father, Bernard Kilpatrick was convicted of 1 of 4 counts including filing a false tax return. (Tanya Moutzalias |  
DETROIT, MI - Ex-Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick is heading to jail Monday after being found guilty of 24 counts related to public corruption while in office.

Judge Nancy Edmunds ruled Kilpatrick and business partner Bobby Ferguson into custody while they await sentencing. Ferguson was found guilty on nine of 11 counts brought against him.

Edmunds said at the start of the afternoon hearing that the defendants should be detained unless it can be clearly and convincingly presented that the defendants will not run or pose a threat to the public. 

Lawyers for Kilpatrick and Ferguson argued for release or electronic tether until the federal sentencing. They said families and business made the men a minimal flight risk.

Prosecutors argued Ferguson had a history of international travel and dangerous weapons had been found at buildings where he resided. They also said Kilpatrick could be a flight risk given a past conviction for lying in court and the threat of a harsh prison sentence.

Edmunds sided with the prosecution and remanded Kilpatrick and Ferguson to the custody of U.S. Marshals to wait in jail pending sentencing.

Both men were found guilty of federal charges with 20-year prison sentences.