Monday, March 25 2013 9:58 PM EDT2013-03-26 01:58:06 GMT
The lead FBI agent on the Kilpatrick case spoke to the reporter that broke most of the stories about the former mayor's misdeeds. Among the new information he unearthed is what the feds called their investigation.
The lead FBI agent on the Kilpatrick case spoke to the reporter that broke most of the stories about the former mayor's misdeeds. Among the new information M.L. Elrick unearthed is what the feds called their investigation.
Monday, March 11 2013 7:16 PM EDT2013-03-11 23:16:31 GMT
Fox 2's M.L. Elrick was in the courtroom when Kwame Kilpatrick heard the words guilty over and over again. He said the former mayor's "jaw dropped" as the verdict was read.
Fox 2's M.L. Elrick has covered the Kilpatrick incorporated trial from gavel to gavel and was in the courtroom when Kwame Kilpatrick heard the words guilty over and over again. He said the former mayor's "jaw dropped" as the verdict was read.
Thursday, March 7 2013 8:14 PM EST2013-03-08 01:14:46 GMT
"That pay-to-play was horrible," said Detroit's mayor. "That does not exist today." So what's being done to make sure it doesn't happen again? We went looking for answers, and you'll be surprised at what we found.
"That pay-to-play was horrible," said Detroit Mayor Dave Bing. "That does not exist today." So what's being done to make sure it doesn't happen again? We went looking for answers, and you'll be surprised at what we found.
Tuesday, March 5 2013 6:44 PM EST2013-03-05 23:44:32 GMT
One lawyer made such an impression that weeks after deliberations began in the Kilpatrick incorporated trial, his words still echo in our ears. M.L. Elrick takes a look back at the best of Mike Rataj.
One lawyer made such an impression that weeks after deliberations began in the Kilpatrick incorporated trial, his words still echo in our ears. M.L. Elrick takes a look back at the best of Mike Rataj.
Monday, March 4 2013 6:27 AM EST2013-03-04 11:27:47 GMT
So far, the federal investigation into dirty deals in Detroit has resulted in 25 people either pleading guilty or being convicted of criminal charges. That has M.L. Elirck singing the "Metropolitan Rip-off Blues".
So far, the federal investigation into dirty deals in Detroit has resulted in 25 people either pleading guilty or being convicted of criminal charges. That has M.L. Elirck singing the "Metropolitan Rip-off Blues".
Sunday, February 24 2013 10:23 AM EST2013-02-24 15:23:40 GMT
For the past three days we have been looking for a sign giving us a clue what the jury is thinking. So far, all we have learned is they wanted to know more about an amendment to Tony Soave's sewer lining contract.
For the past three days we have been looking for a sign giving us a clue what the jury is thinking. So far, all we have learned is they wanted to know more about an amendment to Tony Soave's sewer lining contract.
Tuesday, February 12 2013 6:51 PM EST2013-02-12 23:51:29 GMT
FOX 2's M.L. Elrick offers up his take as the jury turns its attention to defense attorneys on the second day of closing arguments in the corruption trial of former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick.
FOX 2's M.L. Elrick offers up his take as the jury turns its attention to defense attorneys on the second day of closing arguments in the corruption trial of former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick.
Friday, February 1 2013 9:12 AM EST2013-02-01 14:12:10 GMT
For at least the seventh time since testimony began back in September, the Grim Reaper has cast his shadow over people I have met, people I know and people close to me.
Perhaps it's to be expected during this seemingly interminable slog, but for at least the seventh time since testimony began back in September, the Grim Reaper has cast his shadow over people I have met, people I know and people close to me.
DETROIT (WJBK) -
The prosecution is about to wrap its case in the Kwame Kilpatrick corruption trial, but Tuesday it was a text message bombing run as prosecutors dropped one after another so fast we could hardly keep up.
FBI Special Agent Bob Beeckman has been investigating Kilpatrick longer than anybody but, well, me. He is also the prosecution's final witness.
Jurors heard Beeckman discuss potentially damaging text messages like Kilpatrick and Bobby Ferguson's plan to get the contractor some work on the Book Cadillac renovation.
FERGUSON: I am famous now.... just need to get some money.
KILPATRICK: LOL! Right... let's get you some.
FERGUSON: Us.
If nothing else, the prosecution established that Ferguson had incredible access to Kilpatrick to the point where the mayor even tried to setup deals for his friend.
Christine Beatty once asked Kilpatrick why Ferguson didn't get a contract building a new police headquarters.
BEATTY: Why not Bobby in this?
KILPATRICK: Bobby wanted to strategically lose a major bid. He will be on this one at bid time.
Jurors saw a text message in which Ferguson gave Kilpatrick the combination to his hotel safe. Why did he give him those digits? So the mayor could go get some loot.
BEATTY: Do you want to go with the mayor to Jerome Bettis' cookout?
FERGUSON: When and what time? Yes.
BEATTY: Now. The mayor said bring the loot.
Fox 2 legal analyst Charlie Langton said prosecutors were wise to end five months of testimony with a barrage of text messages.
"Text messages essentially would be Kwame Kilpatrick and Bobby Ferguson testifying. That could be a very good strategy for the prosecution."
Defense attorneys are expected to begin calling their own witnesses Thursday. Langton said there is one person in particular who they should not call.
"Kwame Kilpatrick comes across as too slick. The last time Kwame Kilpatrick was in a courtroom in a trial, he got hit for millions of dollars. Kwame Kilpatrick and juries, they just don't mix."
Tuesday, May 21 2013 8:17 PM EDT2013-05-22 00:17:22 GMT
We are learning more about the past of the man currently in police custody in connection with the murder of 35-year-old Sabrina Gianino.
We are learning more about the past of the man currently in police custody in connection with the murder of 35-year-old Sabrina Gianino. 42-year-old Myron Williams is on probation in Michigan for a drug paraphernalia charge. He also has quite a past in Louisiana.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 3:43 PM EDT2013-05-21 19:43:35 GMT
Brian Woehlke and his family
All funds collected will be donated to the Westland Fire Fighters Charity's fund for the family of fallen firefighter Brian Woehlke, who passed away while battling a Westland fire on May 8.
All funds collected will be donated to the Westland Fire Fighters Charity's fund for the family of fallen firefighter Brian Woehlke, who passed away while battling a Westland fire on May 8.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 2:28 AM EDT2013-05-22 06:28:15 GMT
More than 2,000 people were in attendance to hear Donald Trump speak at Oakland County's Lincoln Day Dinner. Before the event, he told reporters he believes Detroit is "on the right path."
More than 2,000 people were in attendance to hear Donald Trump speak at Oakland County's Lincoln Day Dinner. Before the event, he told reporters he believes Detroit is "on the right path."
Wednesday, May 22 2013 2:17 AM EDT2013-05-22 06:17:02 GMT
Find out how you can help the victims of Monday's deadly tornado that ripped through the Oklahoma City suburbs, killing two dozen and flattening neighborhoods, schools and businesses.
Find out how you can help the victims of Monday's deadly tornado that ripped through the Oklahoma City suburbs, killing two dozen and flattening neighborhoods, schools and businesses.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 12:02 AM EDT2013-05-22 04:02:09 GMT
Detroit police believe a man in a surveillance photo is responsible for a kidnapping, carjacking, sexual assault and armed robbery on the city's east side.
Detroit police believe a man in a surveillance photo is responsible for a kidnapping, carjacking, sexual assault and armed robbery on the city's east side.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 10:59 PM EDT2013-05-22 02:59:19 GMT
Some Detroiters say their neighbor is hoarding dogs. She has been accused of doing it before. In 2011, 25 dogs were removed from her home, but we're told a case was never brought.
Some Detroiters say their neighbor is hoarding dogs. She has been accused of doing it before. In 2011, 25 dogs were removed from her home, but we're told a case was never brought.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 10:14 PM EDT2013-05-22 02:14:08 GMT
Innuendo, sexual advances and an overnight stay in Lansing -- a politician's former aide claims he had to endure a nightmare on the job. Now a sexual harassment lawsuit has been filed against Rep. Brian Banks.
Innuendo, sexual advances and an overnight stay in Lansing -- a politician's former aide claims he had to endure a nightmare on the job. Now a sexual harassment lawsuit has been filed against Rep. Brian Banks.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 8:22 PM EDT2013-05-22 00:22:30 GMT
An expansive plan to merge two southeastern Michigan health systems into a single, $6.4 billion nonprofit organization with 10 hospitals has fizzled out.
An expansive plan to merge two southeastern Michigan health systems into a single, $6.4 billion nonprofit organization with 10 hospitals has fizzled out.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 7:46 PM EDT2013-05-21 23:46:25 GMT
Judge Wade McCree took the witness stand on Tuesday. The embattled judge had a lot to say about his affair with a woman who stood in his courtroom. His wife had something to say about it, too.
Judge Wade McCree took the witness stand on Tuesday. The embattled judge had a lot to say about his affair with a woman who stood in his courtroom. His wife had something to say about it, too.
