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.
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.
Sunday, February 17 2013 11:16 PM EST2013-02-18 04:16:14 GMT
Thick smoke and orange flames could be seen shooting out of a long-abandoned home on Detroit's northwest side late Sunday. Detroit fire fighters worked in the freezing cold temperatures to contain the
A Detroit woman finds her house damaged after a suspected arsonist sets the vacant home next door on fire.
Saturday, February 16 2013 8:15 PM EST2013-02-17 01:15:29 GMT
One person is dead, several others are injured after a day filled with chain reaction crashes on Metro Detroit freeways. The deadly crash took place on I-96 westbound at Wixom Road.
One person is dead, several others are injured after a day filled with chain reaction crashes on Metro Detroit freeways. The deadly crash took place on I-96 westbound at Wixom Road. So far, no information has been released about the victim.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 8:23 AM EDT2013-05-22 12:23:21 GMT
Ex-congressman Anthony Weiner whose career imploded after raunchy tweets said in a YouTube video announcement that he's in the New York City mayoral race.
Ex-congressman Anthony Weiner whose career imploded after raunchy tweets said in a YouTube video announcement that he's in the New York City mayoral race. A poll released Wednesday placed Weiner in second place behind City Council Speaker Christine Quinn in a Democratic primary.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 8:10 AM EDT2013-05-22 12:10:21 GMT
Commuter rail service from Connecticut to New York City, along with Amtrak service between Boston and New York, was back on schedule Wednesday morning on one of the nation's oldest and most heavily traveled railways.
Commuter rail service from Connecticut to New York City, along with Amtrak service between Boston and New York, was back on schedule Wednesday morning on one of the nation's oldest and most heavily traveled railways.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 8:07 AM EDT2013-05-22 12:07:32 GMT
Jersey shore town is celebrating a milestone as it rebuilds from Superstorm Sandy. Belmar officials will reopen their 1.3-mile boardwalk that was destroyed by the October storm.
Jersey shore town is celebrating a milestone as it rebuilds from Superstorm Sandy. Belmar officials will reopen their 1.3-mile boardwalk that was destroyed by the October storm.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 7:42 AM EDT2013-05-22 11:42:24 GMT
The National Weather Service is looking into whether a tornado touched down in a rural eastern New York county during a series of severe thunderstorms that rumbled across the upstate region.
The National Weather Service is looking into whether a tornado touched down in a rural eastern New York county during a series of severe thunderstorms that rumbled across the upstate region.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 7:09 AM EDT2013-05-22 11:09:33 GMT
The NYPD arrested a suspect in the latest anti-gay attack in the city, said police.
The NYPD arrested a suspect in the latest anti-gay attack in the city, said police. The incident Monday night involved two men, who police say, had met at the Bowery Mission and went out drinking together in the East Village. Roman Gornell, 39, was arrested on Wednesday.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 9:51 PM EDT2013-05-22 01:51:10 GMT
Just a few days after Mark Carson, 32, was killed for being gay, and only a few hours after a massive rally in the west village calling for an end to the anti-gay violence, it happened again.
Just a few days after Mark Carson, 32, was killed for being gay, and only a few hours after a massive rally in the west village calling for an end to the anti-gay violence, it happened again.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 7:38 AM EDT2013-05-22 11:38:56 GMT
A memorial service is this weekend for a newly married Detroit-area youth minister who was killed in a traffic accident as he and his wife were en route to their honeymoon in Myrtle Beach, S.C.
A memorial service is this weekend for a newly married Detroit-area youth minister who was killed in a traffic accident as he and his wife were en route to their honeymoon in Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 2:28 AM EDT2013-05-22 06:28:15 GMT
More than 2,000 people were in attendance to hear Donald Trump speak at Oakland County's Lincoln Day Dinner. Before the event, he told reporters he believes Detroit is "on the right path."
More than 2,000 people were in attendance to hear Donald Trump speak at Oakland County's Lincoln Day Dinner. Before the event, he told reporters he believes Detroit is "on the right path."
Wednesday, May 22 2013 2:17 AM EDT2013-05-22 06:17:02 GMT
Find out how you can help the victims of Monday's deadly tornado that ripped through the Oklahoma City suburbs, killing two dozen and flattening neighborhoods, schools and businesses.
Find out how you can help the victims of Monday's deadly tornado that ripped through the Oklahoma City suburbs, killing two dozen and flattening neighborhoods, schools and businesses.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 12:02 AM EDT2013-05-22 04:02:09 GMT
Detroit police believe a man in a surveillance photo is responsible for a kidnapping, carjacking, sexual assault and armed robbery on the city's east side.
Detroit police believe a man in a surveillance photo is responsible for a kidnapping, carjacking, sexual assault and armed robbery on the city's east side.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 10:59 PM EDT2013-05-22 02:59:19 GMT
Some Detroiters say their neighbor is hoarding dogs. She has been accused of doing it before. In 2011, 25 dogs were removed from her home, but we're told a case was never brought.
Some Detroiters say their neighbor is hoarding dogs. She has been accused of doing it before. In 2011, 25 dogs were removed from her home, but we're told a case was never brought.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 10:14 PM EDT2013-05-22 02:14:08 GMT
Innuendo, sexual advances and an overnight stay in Lansing -- a politician's former aide claims he had to endure a nightmare on the job. Now a sexual harassment lawsuit has been filed against Rep. Brian Banks.
Innuendo, sexual advances and an overnight stay in Lansing -- a politician's former aide claims he had to endure a nightmare on the job. Now a sexual harassment lawsuit has been filed against Rep. Brian Banks.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 8:22 PM EDT2013-05-22 00:22:30 GMT
An expansive plan to merge two southeastern Michigan health systems into a single, $6.4 billion nonprofit organization with 10 hospitals has fizzled out.
An expansive plan to merge two southeastern Michigan health systems into a single, $6.4 billion nonprofit organization with 10 hospitals has fizzled out.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 8:17 PM EDT2013-05-22 00:17:22 GMT
We are learning more about the past of the man currently in police custody in connection with the murder of 35-year-old Sabrina Gianino.
We are learning more about the past of the man currently in police custody in connection with the murder of 35-year-old Sabrina Gianino. 42-year-old Myron Williams is on probation in Michigan for a drug paraphernalia charge. He also has quite a past in Louisiana.