Friday, February 15 2013 8:07 PM EST2013-02-16 01:07:27 GMT
The corruption case against Kwame Kilpatrick, his father, Bernard, and his friend, Bobby Ferguson, is now in the hands of a jury. The prosecution wrapped up closing arguments on Friday.
The corruption case against Kwame Kilpatrick, his father, Bernard, and his friend, Bobby Ferguson, is now in the hands of a jury. The prosecution wrapped up closing arguments on Friday.
Friday, February 15 2013 9:59 AM EST2013-02-15 14:59:25 GMT
Fox 2's M.L. Elrick asks defense attorney Mike Rataj if he thought the "government was racist." Rataj never answered the question but he did shove Elrick outside the courthouse.
Fox 2's M.L. Elrick asks defense attorney Mike Rataj if he thought the "government was racist." Rataj never answered the question but he did shove Elrick outside the courthouse.
Friday, February 15 2013 7:18 AM EST2013-02-15 12:18:31 GMT
Bobby Ferguson's attorney Mike Rataj shoved Fox 2's M.L. Elrick. What sparked it all? You'll hear from both sides as we take a closer look at the issue of race in the Kilpatrick corruption trial.
There was disorder outside the court Thursday when Bobby Ferguson's attorney Mike Rataj shoved Fox 2's M.L. Elrick. What sparked it all? You'll hear from both sides as we take a closer look at the issue of race in the Kilpatrick corruption trial.
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) -
Attorney Mike Rataj didn't like it when I asked whether race played a role in the prosecution of Kwame Kilpatrick, his father and his best friend. A day later, he was more introspective.
"Do I think that they're evil people? No, not necessarily, but they obviously have an agenda," he said.
Rataj wouldn't speculate on the government's motivation, but he acknowledged that race has been a part of the case and could factor into jury deliberations.
"You hope that race doesn't play a part in it, but you can't be naive to it, either," he said.
This case hasn't been easy on any of the attorneys. Their clients didn't take the stand, but they still had their words used against them in the form of text messages.
"If I took all of your text messages for a six year period and I put up two or three or four or five, is that telling somebody what was really going on with your life? And I would submit to you it's not," said Rataj.
You would think the hard part in this case is behind the lawyers and you would be wrong.
"The waiting game is the hardest part because it's out of our hands. There's nothing else that we can do for our clients now. It's totally in the hands of those twelve people and in some ways it's a helpless feeling," Rataj explained.
So the lawyers, the defendants and the rest of us wait looking for a sign of what the jury is going to decide.
"There is no art to it," Rataj said. "People write books about this kind of stuff, but at the end of the day who's got a crystal ball?"
He says watching the clock can be meaningless, too, the length of deliberations not necessarily indicating what the jury will ultimately decide.
"I don't think there's any hard and fast rule. Every case is different and you just have to take it as it comes," he said.
Monday, June 17 2013 9:27 PM EDT2013-06-18 01:27:07 GMT
The jury in the manslaughter trial of Detroit officer Joseph Weekley did not reach a verdict on Monday. The jury has now deliberated for two full days.
The jury in the manslaughter trial of Detroit officer Joseph Weekley did not reach a verdict on Monday. The jury has now deliberated for two full days.
Monday, June 17 2013 11:31 PM EDT2013-06-18 03:31:06 GMT
Detroit Emergency Manager Kevyn Orr is working on improving city services, including the streetlights. More than 40 percent of them do not work, but the Detroit Public Lighting Authority is now beginning its work.
As Kevyn Orr tries to solve Detroit's financial crisis, he is also working on improving city services, including the streetlights. More than 40 percent of them do not work, but the Detroit Public Lighting Authority is now beginning its work.
Monday, June 17 2013 10:43 PM EDT2013-06-18 02:43:12 GMT
He is a Detroit lawmaker serving his second term in the state House, but he may be spending a little too much time at his own house. M.L. Elrick puts state Rep. John Olumba's attendance record under the microscope.
He is a Detroit lawmaker serving his second term in the state House, but he may be spending a little too much time at his own house. M.L. Elrick puts state Rep. John Olumba's attendance record under the microscope.
Monday, June 17 2013 10:36 PM EDT2013-06-18 02:36:35 GMT
The FBI and local police have teamed up hoping to solve a 38-year-old murder mystery. They are searching an Oakland Township field looking for Jimmy Hoffa.
The FBI and local police have teamed up hoping to solve a 38-year-old murder mystery. They are searching an Oakland Township field looking for Jimmy Hoffa.
Monday, June 17 2013 6:45 PM EDT2013-06-17 22:45:07 GMT
In a surprising move, Tucker Cipriano pled no contest to murder in the beating death of his father. Cipriano made the plea just days before members of his own family were set to testify against him.
In a surprising move, Tucker Cipriano pled no contest to murder in the beating death of his father. Cipriano made the plea just days before members of his own family were set to testify against him.
Monday, June 17 2013 5:55 PM EDT2013-06-17 21:55:56 GMT
A new search for the remains of Jimmy Hoffa is underway in northern Oakland County. Armed with a search warrant, the FBI moved in Monday morning and started digging in Oakland Township.
A new search for the remains of Jimmy Hoffa is underway in northern Oakland County. Armed with a search warrant, the FBI moved in Monday morning and started digging in Oakland Township.
Monday, June 17 2013 4:56 PM EDT2013-06-17 20:56:42 GMT
General Motors is recalling more than 193,652 SUVs from the 2006 and 2007 model years because a circuit board in the driver's door could short and cause a fire.
General Motors is recalling more than 193,652 SUVs from the 2006 and 2007 model years because a circuit board in the driver's door could short and cause a fire.
Bobby Ferguson's attorney Mike Rataj talks to M.L. Elrick about the case and the impending waiting game. (Credit: Fox 2 News)
