Kilpatrick wants trial moved from Detroit

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DETROIT, Sept. 18 (UPI) -- Lawyers for former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick and one of his co-defendants asked a judge Tuesday to move their trial out of Detroit.

James C. Thomas told U.S. District Judge Nancy Edmunds he does not believe Kilpatrick can get a fair trial in the city where he once served as mayor, The Detroit News reported.

Gerard Evelyn, who represents Kilpatrick's longtime friend Bobby Ferguson, pointed to intense media scrutiny of jurors at Ferguson's bid-rigging trial. In one case, details of a woman's person life were reported on, he said.

"It's clear jurors have to be aware there will be consequences to a not-guilty verdict," Evelyn said. "They will be investigated, their family will be investigated ... . It is impossible to get a fair trial here."

Edmunds refused to delay jury selection to give lawyers time to make a formal motion for a change of venue. But she said she would consider one.

Four more people were added to the jury pool, giving a total of 59. Edmunds plans to have a total pool of 66 before lawyers make their final challenges.