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Majority Say Kilpatrick Verdict Was 'Just And Fair'

DETROIT (WWJ) - According to a recent statewide survey, a majority of voters believe that the verdict for former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick was "just and fair," while 16 percent think he "got off easy."

The survey, conducted by Marketing Resource Group and Inside Michigan Politics, also found that only five percent of respondents thought the verdict "is too severe," while a mere one percent thought the former Mayor was "unjustly convicted."

"While a majority of statewide voters support the jury's decision in the Kilpatrick case, 37 percent wanted a much harsher punishment," Bill Ballenger, Editor and Publisher of Inside Michigan Politics, said in a statement.

Ballenger said a total of 69 percent of city voters thought the jury verdict was either "fair and just" (53 percent) or "he got off easy" (16 percent).

The actual wording and results of the question is below:

Recently, a jury convicted former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick on 24 of 30 charges, including extortion of city money, racketeering and bribery. He is currently in jail awaiting sentencing and could face 20 years or more in a federal prison. Which of the following opinions comes closest to your own about the Kilpatrick trial and conviction?

A: He got off too easy. They should lock him up and throw away the key.

B: The charges and the verdict were fair and just.

C: He probably did something illegal or unethical, but the punishment is too severe.

D: This has been a witch-hunt from the very beginning, and Kilpatrick was unjustly convicted just because of his race and others' bias towards the City of Detroit.

Here's how the results spread out:

A: Got off too easy: State: 37%, Detroit: 16%

B: Charges and verdict were fair: State: 53%, Detroit: 53%

C: Punishment is too severe: State: 5%, Detroit: 13%

D: Witch-hunt, unjustly convicted: State: 1%, Detroit: 13%

I don't care/Don't pay attention (Volunteered): State: 2%, Detroit: 3%

Don't know (Volunteered): State: 2%, Detroit: 3%

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