Kilpatrick attorney, “My confidence level is always high.” - DC Breaking Local News Weather Sports FOX 5 WTTG

Kilpatrick attorney, “My confidence level is always high.”

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SOUTHFIELD, Mich. (MyFox Detroit) -

These were the bold words of Jim Thomas, Kwame Kilpatrick's attorney: "My confidence level is always high."

His client though had a tough day in court Friday. First, former city official Kim Harris testified that he begged out of a contracting mess that prosecutors say Kilpatrick triggered. Harris says Kilpatrick told his boss the situation was "getting too goofy."

Then a federal agent went through a series of text messages between Kilpatrick and Bobby Ferguson that showed them discussing water department deals.

On February 26, 2003, Ferguson wrote in an apparent reference to then water department boss Victor Mercado, "Are you going to call Victor today? Three of us break bread this evening."
Kilpatrick responded: "Yeah I'll hollah after I get to work."

A month later, Ferguson wrote to the mayor again about city deals:

Ferguson: "Hello black. You haven't released that contract yet."
Kilpatrick: "Right. They know I'm holding it."
Ferguson: "Using your terms it's still ‘cool' with you. I need to hold it for a long time. It's no need for it and something else also."

Defense attorneys will no doubt say the messages are being taken out of context. But they are frustrated that the judge allowed comments about the mayor's apparent influence over contract matters to come into the trial.

  • Elrick's take on the Kilpatrick 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.
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