State Roundup

Detroit
Kilpatrick raises possible conflict with legal team

DETROIT (AP) — A judge says former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick suddenly has raised concerns about a potential conflict of interest with his legal team, just as the jury selection process starts in his corruption trial.

Federal Judge Nancy Edmunds did not disclose what the potential conflict might be. She made her remarks in court Wednesday as the first batch of potential jurors waited downstairs to fill out a 22-page questionnaire.

Kilpatrick and his attorney, James Thomas, declined to comment when approached by The Associated Press. A hearing on the issue is set for next Tuesday.

Kilpatrick and his father, Bernard Kilpatrick, are charged with widespread fraud involving kickbacks and bribes. Two other defendants are also in the case, including Detroit’s former water boss.


Flint
Police ID 2 men found fatally shot in home invasion

FLINT, Mich. (AP) — Police have released the names of two men found fatally shot at their Flint home over the weekend after a woman reported being stabbed during a home invasion.
The Flint Journal reports the men found dead Sunday morning are identified as 54-year-old Randy C. Phillips and 40-year-old Patrick H. Boven.

Police say the woman fled the home with knife wounds to her neck. She reports that someone broke into the home, killing the men and wounding her.

Police haven’t released any information about a possible suspect.


Hamburg Twp.
Veterans home to get pricey power wheelchair gift

HAMBURG TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) — A pricey motorized wheelchair is being donated to the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans.

The Livingston County Daily Press & Argus of Howell reports veterans from American Legion Post 419 in Livingston County’s Hamburg Township loaded up the wheelchair Monday and sent it to Grand Rapids.

The wheelchair was donated to Post 419 about two years ago by Marcia Lefort, a Livingston County woman whose husband, World War II veteran Pierre Lefort, had died. She wanted the wheelchair to go to a veteran in need, but Post 419 officials say they couldn’t find anyone in the area to get it.

Jim Wallace, who belongs to Post 419, says the wheelchair is restored. He says a new one would cost $20,000 to $30,000.


Pontiac
2 convicted in December roller rink shooting

PONTIAC, Mich. (AP) — Two men charged in a December shooting that wounded at least five at a southeast Michigan roller skating rink have been convicted.

The Oakland Press and The Detroit News report jury verdicts were announced Tuesday for Tre-Andis Jamison and 18-year-old Cheyenne Ingram. They each faced more than a dozen counts, including conspiracy to commit murder.

Jamison, who is in his 20s, was convicted on all counts, while Ingram was acquitted on firearm charges. They face up to life in prison when sentenced.

Ingram’s lawyer Jonathan Jones argued his client was never found with a weapon. Jamison’s attorney Arnold Weiner told jurors there was no evidence linking his client to the shooting at Rolladium Skating Center in Waterford Township.


Iron Mountain
Authorities find rafter’s body in Menominee River

IRON MOUNTAIN, Mich. (AP) — Authorities say the body of a rafter has been found in the Menominee River.
The Dickinson County sheriff’s department in Michigan said that the 59-year-old man was part of a group rafting on Piers Gorge when the raft tipped over Tuesday.