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Kwame Kilpatrick Wants Out Of Prison

DETROIT (WWJ/AP) - Imprisoned ex-Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick is asking a federal judge to reconsider and allow his release on bond so he can visit his wife and children in Texas.

On March 11, a federal jury in Detroit found Kilpatrick guilty on racketeering conspiracy, bribery and tax charges, and Judge Nancy Edmunds ordered him jailed pending sentencing.

On Monday, Kilpatrick lawyer James Thomas again requested his client's release. Thomas said his client  isn't a flight risk and said Kilpatrick's mother has put up her home as collateral to ensure he shows up for sentencing.

Kilpatrick's mother is ex-U.S. Rep. Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick.  The ex-mayor had been staying at her Detroit home, under house arrest, prior to his conviction.

Thomas also says Kilpatrick lacks funds to flee and is so well-known it's "highly unlikely" he'd get away.
The U.S. attorney's office opposes bond for Kilpatrick.

Also convicted in the case was Kilpatrick's friend and former Detroit contractor Bobby Ferguson, who is also imprisoned.

Kilpatrick's father, Bernard Kilpatrick, was found guilty on a tax charge and is free on bond.

U.S. Attorney Barbara McQuade said Kilpatrick turned the mayor's office into a criminal enterprise, taking money meant to help Detroiters and using it to enrich his own life.

A sentencing date has not yet been set.

MORE: Kilpatrick Family: 'We Will Continue To Fight'

Kilpatrick Verdict: Guilty Of Racketeering

(TM and © Copyright 2013 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2013 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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