Federal panel to hear former Detroit mayor's appeal

DETROIT (AP) - A three-judge panel will hear former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick's appeal for a new trial. Documents show oral arguments are scheduled for Jan. 13 before the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati. Kilpatrick wants his corruption conviction overturned. He is serving a 28-year sentence at a federal prison after a jury last year convicted him of two dozen crimes, from tax evasion to bribery. He appealed, saying there was a conflict involving his attorneys, among other reasons. Kilpatrick's co-defendant and friend Bobby Ferguson also will have his appeal heard by the court. Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Goetz has said in a filing that Kilpatrick can't prove his defense lawyers had a conflict of interest. Goetz also says the court should affirm the 21-year sentence given to Ferguson, a contractor. Published: Tue, Dec 02, 2014