Wednesday, June 27 2012 9:18 PM EDT2012-06-28 01:18:57 GMT
After weeks of testimony and days of deliberation, the jury failed to reach a verdict in the trial of Bobby Ferguson. The judge declared a mistrial in the case.
After weeks of testimony and days of deliberation, the jury failed to reach a verdict in the trial of Bobby Ferguson. The judge declared a mistrial in the case, but it is not over yet. The feds will try this case again.
Friday, June 22 2012 7:07 PM EDT2012-06-22 23:07:38 GMT
We've gotten word that the jury has reached a verdict on some charges, but is apparently deadlocked on at least one other in the bid-rigging trial of contractor Bobby Ferguson.
We've gotten word that the jury has reached a verdict on some charges, but is apparently deadlocked on at least one other in the bid-rigging trial of contractor Bobby Ferguson.
Wednesday, June 20 2012 8:52 PM EDT2012-06-21 00:52:17 GMT
There was no verdict Wednesday in the bid-rigging trial of Bobby Ferguson after a new juror took the place of one that got sick. Meanwhile, there were a number of questions asked of the judge.
There was no verdict Wednesday in the $12-million bid-rigging trial of Bobby Ferguson after a new juror took the place of one that got sick. Meanwhile, there were a number of questions asked of the judge.
Tuesday, June 19 2012 9:10 PM EDT2012-06-20 01:10:06 GMT
There has been a delay in deliberations in the bid-rigging trial of Bobby Ferguson. The judge moved in an alternate juror after one juror on the panel got sick.
There has been a delay in deliberations in the bid-rigging trial of Bobby Ferguson. The judge moved in an alternate juror after one juror on the panel got sick.
Monday, June 18 2012 9:20 PM EDT2012-06-19 01:20:41 GMT
Monday was the first full day of jury deliberations in the Bobby Fergeson federal bid-rigging case. The jury focused on two things that they wanted clarification on.
Monday was the first full day of jury deliberations in the Bobby Fergeson federal bid-rigging case. The jury focused on two things that they wanted clarification on.
Friday, June 15 2012 11:46 PM EDT2012-06-16 03:46:39 GMT
For the past month, federal prosecutors went to work to try and convince a jury that Bobby Ferguson and two co-defendants were involved in a bid-rigging scheme.
Through the years, Bobby Ferguson has made a lot of money on city contracts, and for the past month, federal prosecutors went to work to try and convince a jury that Ferguson and two co-defendants were involved in a bid-rigging scheme to cash in on millions of dollars worth of work.
DETROIT (WJBK) -
Through the years, Bobby Ferguson has made a lot of money on city contracts, and for the past month, federal prosecutors went to work to try and convince a jury that Ferguson and two co-defendants were involved in a bid-rigging scheme to cash in on millions of dollars worth of work.
The Garden View Estates is the project at the heart of the case, a picturesque community for low income families still in the process of being built. Federal prosecutes claim Ferguson along with Michael Woodhouse and Calvin Hall worked together to pull off a bid-rigging scheme to win a nearly $12-million contract to do work on the project. Excel Construction was awarded much of the work, but it's alleged Ferguson controlled the checkbook and $9-million in demo work was funneled to him.
The jury began deliberations on Friday. Fox 2 legal analyst Charlie Langton says they have a lot of information to digest.
"The U.S. Attorney's Office does have a very good track record with public corruption cases, but this case is different in that it involves very technical issues of taxes and bids and process, and generally speaking, if the testimony is very complicated, the jury says that, hey, if we can't understand this, how could the defendants in this case understand it. In other words, how could Bobby Ferguson understand that. So that could hurt the prosecution here."
Ferguson has been on the feds' radar for years. Agents raided his office in 2009. Since then, federal prosecutors have been building a case against not only Ferguson, but also against his good friend Kwame Kilpatrick. During their trial, prosecutors made sure to exploit their relationship.
"The issue is going to be whether or not Kwame Kilpatrick's name has poisoned the jurors enough. That remains to be seen, but that seems to have been kind of a strategy from the prosecution," Langton said.
Ferguson's attorney claims the contractor did nothing wrong, even paid taxes on money he earned from the project.
If found guilty, Ferguson faces up to 20 years in prison. Guilty or not in this case, his legal troubles won't be over. Ferguson is also named in a public corruption case involving his good friend Kwame Kilpatrick and Bernard Kilpatrick. That trial is scheduled to get underway in the fall.
Sunday, June 9 2013 10:38 PM EDT2013-06-10 02:38:07 GMT
Tucker Cipriano and Mitchell Young both entered pleas of not guilty Tuesday in the brutal attack on Tucker's family. We're learning both of their attorneys want separate trials.
Tucker Cipriano and Mitchell Young both entered pleas of not guilty Tuesday in the brutal attack on Tucker's family. We're learning both of their attorneys want separate trials.
Sunday, June 9 2013 10:36 PM EDT2013-06-10 02:36:59 GMT
A brutal baseball bat murder shocked metro Detroit and helped to spark the crackdown on synthetic marijuana. Now the two young men accused in that attack are heading to trial.
A brutal baseball bat murder shocked metro Detroit and helped to spark the crackdown on synthetic marijuana. Now the two young men accused in that attack are heading to trial.
Saturday, February 23 2013 11:33 PM EST2013-02-24 04:33:03 GMT
An AK-47, three other long guns and two handguns are now off the streets of Detroit. The weapons were confiscated by Wayne County Sherrif's deputies during a raid at a suspected drug house.
An AK-47, three other long guns and two handguns are now off the streets of Detroit. The weapons were confiscated by Wayne County Sherrif's deputies during a raid at a suspected drug house.
Saturday, February 23 2013 8:56 PM EST2013-02-24 01:56:59 GMT
Michigan's road to recovery could take a big hit if congress allows $85 million in cuts to the defense department. Tens of thousands of jobs could be at risk in our state, especially in Macomb County.n.
Michigan's road to recovery could take a big hit if congress allows $85 million in cuts to the defense department. Tens of thousands of jobs could be at risk in our state, especially in Macomb County.
Monday, February 18 2013 6:38 PM EST2013-02-18 23:38:52 GMT
A mother is pained beyond words. Her three-year-old daughter was killed in a crash Sunday on Detroit's west side less than a block from her house. The chaotic scene was visible from her front door.
A mother is pained beyond words. Her three-year-old daughter was killed in a crash Sunday on Detroit's west side less than a block from her house. The chaotic scene was visible from her front door.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 11:26 PM EDT2013-06-20 03:26:37 GMT
Mitchell Young's trial got underway on Wednesday. He is accused in the murder of Robert Cipriano and the beatings of Robert's wife, Rose, and son, Sal.
Mitchell Young's trial got underway on Wednesday. He is accused in the murder of Robert Cipriano and the beatings of Robert's wife, Rose, and son, Sal.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 9:52 PM EDT2013-06-20 01:52:15 GMT
The Detroit Red Wings and city officials on Wednesday announced a $650 million plan for a new arena development for the NHL team in Detroit's downtown entertainment and sports district.
The Detroit Red Wings and city officials on Wednesday announced a $650 million plan for a new arena development for the NHL team in Detroit's downtown entertainment and sports district.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 9:39 PM EDT2013-06-20 01:39:53 GMT
The state's school superintendent and treasurer could dissolve a deficit-ridden district and send the students to nearby schools under legislation narrowly approved Wednesday by a divided Michigan Senate.
The state's school superintendent and treasurer could dissolve a deficit-ridden district and send the students to nearby schools under legislation narrowly approved Wednesday by a divided Michigan Senate.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 9:33 PM EDT2013-06-20 01:33:24 GMT
Gov. Rick Snyder on Wednesday cut short his trade trip to Israel to return home and lobby reluctant fellow Republicans to expand Medicaid to more Michigan adults...
Gov. Rick Snyder on Wednesday cut short his trade trip to Israel to return home and lobby reluctant fellow Republicans to expand Medicaid to more Michigan adults, as the clock ticked before lawmakers break for the summer.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 9:21 PM EDT2013-06-20 01:21:00 GMT
Dequindre-Emery Playlot had become grossly overgrown. George Bearid said enough is enough and began mowing on Sunday. Now several neighbors have joined the effort to clean up the park.
Dequindre-Emery Playlot had become grossly overgrown. George Bearid said enough is enough and began mowing on Sunday. Now several neighbors have joined the effort to clean up the park.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 8:03 PM EDT2013-06-20 00:03:28 GMT
"I don't blame the clerk," Mike Duggan said as he ended his mayoral bid. Two courts ruled he cannot be on the ballot because he had not lived in Detroit for a year when he filed.
"I don't blame the clerk," Mike Duggan said as he ended his mayoral bid. Two courts ruled he cannot be on the ballot because he had not lived in Detroit for a year when he filed.
Bobby Ferguson
