Kilpatrick Headed to Jail
Former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick Sentenced To Jail
POSTED: Monday, May 24, 2010
UPDATED: 10:35 am EDT May 25, 2010
Former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick is heading back to jail.
Wayne County Judge David Groner sentenced him to one and half to five years.
Before the sentencing, Groner spent more than twenty minutes discussing what led them to this court hearing in the first place.
As Kilpatrick stood before him listening, he looked deep in thought. Groner reminded him the court proceedings were taking place because of him. Groner told him "you lied under oath about your relationship with your then Chief of Staff Christine Beatty." Groner continued to tell Kilpatrick it was the lawsuit that leads to him being there and owing the city of Detroit.
"You, Mr. Kilpatrick raised the issue of the ability to pay restitution," Groner said. He said Kilpatrick opened the door to all of this when he said he couldn't pay. "Your continued attempt to thwart the fact-finding function of this court," said Groner.
Groner continued to explain all of the elements that lead them to be at this sentencing and told him he continued to violated the law in hiding his assets.
Groner said because Kilpatrick is a public servant and he should be held to higher standards. He said "you have failed to accept responsibility for your actions." Groner said probation was no longer an option. He said, "That ship has sailed."
Prosecutors and Defense are going over the Pre-Sentencing Investigation Report given to them by probation officer.
The prosecution is asking the judge to sentence him to a state prison and not allow his probation to continue. Athena Siringus said his bad behavior has continued after his previous sentencing saying he has intentionally and maliciously hidden assets from the court to prevent from paying his restitution to the court.
She told Wayne County Judge David Groner that he has continued to live a million dollar life even though he owes a $1 million to the city of Detroit. She said he has failed to show that he is sorry. He has continued to blame others on why he did not follow his probation. He has blamed his attorney, the media, and anyone else but himself.
She said he has willfully ignored the wishes of the court. Siringus said the prosecutors office is recommending Kilpatrick be sentenced to 3-5 years in the Michigan Department of Corrections.
Kilpatrick's attorney Michael Schwartz told Groner that his client is sorry. He said his client has been cooperative and has made payments.
Schwartz denies that Kilpatrick asked anyone to help pay his restitution. He said that people who came forward and helped pay the money did it on their own.
Throughout Schwartz appeal, Kilpatrick sat with his hand over his face. He looked straight on, never even looking at his attorney.
Schwartz repeated over and over that Kilpatrick is not and has not "thumbed his nose at this court," Schwartz said.
Schwartz said sending Kilpatrick to jail won't do anyone any good. He said he won't be able to make his payments to the city.
Kilpatrick Headed to Prison - Detroit Local News Story - WDIV Detroit#