Judge orders Kwame Kilpatrick, Bobby Ferguson to prison

Kwame Kilpatrick, Bobby Ferguson ordered to prison until sentencing

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DETROIT (WJBK) -

Former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick and his longtime friend Bobby Ferguson are headed behind bars to await their sentences.

Federal Judge Nancy Edmunds says it's a "close call" but the scale under law is tipped more toward prosecutors. She made her decision Monday, four hours after a jury convicted Kilpatrick on 24 charges, including racketeering conspiracy, bribery and tax crimes.

Prosecutors argued that Kilpatrick lied to prosecutors in the past and that Ferguson was a violent flight risk. Defense attorneys argued that Kilpatrick is broke and couldn't afford to flee.

Click here to read a live blog recap from the hearing.

Jurors convicted Kilpatrick of a raft of crimes, including a racketeering conspiracy charge that carries a maximum punishment of 20 years behind bars. He was portrayed during a five-month trial as an unscrupulous politician who took bribes, rigged contracts and lived far beyond his means while in office until fall 2008.

Kilpatrick wore a surprised, puzzled look at times as U.S. District Judge Nancy Edmunds read the jury's verdict: guilty of 24 charges, not guilty on three and no consensus on three more.

Attorneys can appeal the judge's decision to remand both Ferguson and Kilpatrick into federal custody, but experts say don't expect them to do that.

  • 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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