Kwame Kilpatrick supporters push for presidential pardon for ex-Detroit mayor

Kilpatrick not mentioned in President Barack Obama's final news conference

DETROIT – Supporters of Kwame Kilpatrick's were hoping for a presidential pardon Wednesday for the ex-Detroit mayor, but President Barack Obama didn't bring up Kilpatrick during his final news conference at the White House.

Supporters hope a presidential pardon could come in the last moments of the Obama presidency, but that's looking less and less likely. Residents who believe Kilpatrick got a raw deal are keeping their hopes up.

The website change.org hosts a website with a petition for the president to pardon Kilpatrick and Bobby Ferguson, who was convicted along with Kilpatrick.

The Ferguson family is backing the effort.

"To me, it (wasn't a fair deal), but this is what we're left to deal with, so we're trying to deal with it the best way we can," Bobby Ferguson's cousin, Daniel Ferguson, said.

The website gathering petition signatures calls 28 years in federal prison for Kilpatrick "excessive," and while it admits he committed crimes, it calls on the president to not allow another man to rot in prison.

Daniel Ferguson brought up the name of Chelsea Manning.

"How are you going to pardon someone for treason and not look at what people are saying?" Daniel Ferguson said. "There are a lot of people (who want) Kwame home, not just his family."

The website has nearly 30,000 signatures, though 100,000 would apparently have forced the White House to look at a pardon.

"The man shouldn't be in there for 28 years," Daniel Ferguson said. "I know I'm family, but it's not just me that feels this way. There's a lot of people that feel that way."

Bobby Ferguson received 21 years in prison in the case. He's serving time in Virginia, while Kilpatrick is in Oklahoma.

Supporters are asking for the president to undo the work of his own Department of Justice and its public corruption arm.

Sign up for ClickOnDetroit breaking news alerts and email newsletters


About the Authors:

Rod Meloni is an Emmy Award-winning Business Editor on Local 4 News and a Certified Financial Planner™ Professional.

Derick is the Lead Digital Editor for ClickOnDetroit and has been with Local 4 News since April 2013. Derick specializes in breaking news, crime and local sports.