Public reaction mixed to verdict in Kilpatrick corruption case

Public reaction mixed to verdict in Kilpatrick corruption case

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Jeff Herron offered his reactions after Kwame Kilpatrick was found guilty on several charges Monday.  (Credit: Fox 2 News) Jeff Herron offered his reactions after Kwame Kilpatrick was found guilty on several charges Monday. (Credit: Fox 2 News)
DETROIT (WJBK) -

Metro Detroiters weighed in after guilty verdicts were handed down Monday in the Kilpatrick corruption trial.  Some feel a sense of relief and closure, while others still support the former mayor.

"I'm glad it's over," said one person.  "It's a sad day for everybody today."

"Keep your head up," said Jeff Herron, referring to Kwame Kilpatrick.  "People still love you in the City of Detroit, and everybody [is not] against you."

"My opinion is basically justice prevailed and Kwame got what he had coming to him," said Jeff Aage.

In a statement, Detroit City Council President Pro-Tem Gary Brown said the guilty verdict closes the door on a culture of corruption in the city.  He also said, "We must remember that no matter how powerful one is or how many supporters an elected official has, that person must follow the law and hold himself to the highest level of integrity and accountability."

However, Kilpatrick's die hard supporters said he got a bad deal.  Herron said Kilpatrick was his mentor, and he is sad that someone he looked up to has fallen so low.

"He was a great man.  He led a lot of people," he said.  "If he was white in the same predicament with these same circumstances, the punishment wouldn't have been as harsh."

"I don't want to make it like a race thing, but that's what it is," he added.

Kilpatrick is now back in jail after being found guilty on 24 of 30 counts against him in what could very well go down as Detroit's most infamous federal corruption scandal.

"He was not good for Detroit.  He obviously got them into a crisis, and I just think it's very ironic that his verdict came out in the week that the financial manager is coming to Detroit to save it," Aage said.

  • 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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