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 1:36 PM EDT2013-05-22 17:36:39 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.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 9:56 PM EDT2013-05-23 01:56:23 GMT
Children were literally screaming for peace. Elementary school students at Cesar Chavez Academy in southwest Detroit spoke out for themselves -- stop bullying and stop the violence.
Children were literally screaming for peace. Elementary school students at Cesar Chavez Academy in southwest Detroit spoke out for themselves -- stop bullying and stop the violence.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 6:46 PM EDT2013-05-22 22:46:26 GMT
Bugs are important to our environment and can even tell us about our water quality. That's why dozens on local students have been taking part in bug hunts.
Bugs are important to our environment and can even tell us about our water quality. That's why dozens on local students have been taking part in bug hunts.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:07 PM EDT2013-05-23 02:07:10 GMT
13 dogs were rescued from a house on Ewers in southwest Detroit. The three most emaciated dogs were taken to the VCA in St. Clair Shores. They are being held in isolation for at least a week.
13 dogs were rescued from a house on Ewers in southwest Detroit. The three most emaciated dogs were taken to the VCA in St. Clair Shores. They are being held in isolation for at least a week and being treated and screened for diseases.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 8:57 PM EDT2013-05-23 00:57:50 GMT
Prosecutors have now filed charges against Myron Williams, a next door neighbor to a woman found strangled in Grosse Pointe Park, but the counts do not include murder.
Prosecutors have now filed charges against Myron Williams, a next door neighbor to a woman found strangled in Grosse Pointe Park, but the counts do not include murder.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 8:38 PM EDT2013-05-23 00:38:51 GMT
Neighbors said he threatened them with a shotgun, then opened fire wounding two people. Now one of the victims has said he's angry the man accused of pulling the trigger is already out of jail.
Neighbors said he threatened them with a shotgun, then opened fire wounding two people. Now one of the victims has said he's angry the man accused of pulling the trigger is already out of jail.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 1:44 PM EDT2013-05-22 17:44:18 GMT
Today at 2 p.m. 100 community leaders, union officials, concerned residents and Northwestern High School Alumni will protest the closure of the high school.
Today at 2 p.m. 100 community leaders, union officials, concerned residents and Northwestern High School Alumni will protest the closure of the high school.
Bobby Ferguson
