Local 4 is inside the courtroom for the federal corruption trial of former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, Kilpatrick's dad Bernard Kilpatrick and his childhood friend Bobby Ferguson. Each day we bring you information from inside federal court as it happens.
For the first time since the Kilpatrick federal corruption trial began, Kwame Kilpatrick's family has showed up to court.
Carlita and their three boys are here today as is his sister Ayanna Kilpatrick.
His mother, Carolyn, is also there.
--Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick
SLIDESHOW: Kwame Kilpatrick's family leaves court Tuesday
For the first time since the Kilpatrick federal corruption trial began, Kwame Kilpatrick's family has showed up to court.
Kwame took to social media today posting:
Victory Day! Blessed to have my Squad with me. Boots laced, and ready to roll. :-)
God is Good! #blessedandhighlyfavored
--From @KwameAndFamily
Yesterday, the government had the first shot across the bow with closing arguments. US Attorney Michael Bullotta gave a strong performance alleging that Kilpatrick, his father Bernard Kilpatrick and friend Bobby Ferguson ran "Kilpatrick Inc." and the mantra he repeated over and over was "No deal without me.
Today, Kwame's lawyer Jim Thomas will take a stab this morning at closing and this afternoon it will be John Shea for Bernard- it's an all Kilpatrick day.
9:07AM Judge Edmunds enters and mentions that some of the jurors have switched seats because some of them are not feeling well so need access to restroom.
Judge asks Thomas to let her know a good moment for a break. He says it will be about 2 and a half hours. He's got a tough job this morning to counter yesterday's impressive government performance.
9:09AM Thomas starts. Good morning. today is my chance after this long trial to tell you what I think about evidence.
Opening statement was brief and there was a reason for that. I wanted to talk about principles. I said in opening that defense would be in cross examination.
It was remarkable that witnesses would come in and testify and after cross it was a different story. Hopefully you understand and agree and each of you have been paying good attention so I thank you.
As I said then, I reiterate, you are the sole judges of the facts of the case. No one else can tell you what happen. When you go to the room and discuss the different points of view, you need to determine whether is beyond reasonable doubt.
My client wanted me to talk about all the good things he did.
"We came into this courtroom with a lot of baggage," says Thomas.
Have been demonized by the media.
When I ask a question of a witness and the witness agrees with me, that is something you can consider.
Kwame Kilpatrick is a human being. He is presumed to be innocent. He is a father, a son. He's a man.
I want to say it for the record. We presented some evidence and hopefully it shed some light on this case.
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