DETROIT, April 30 (UPI) — Former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick has requested, for a third time, to be released on bond while he pursues an appeal of his corruption conviction.
His attorney told the judge Kilpatrick is innocent and not a flight risk or danger to his community, The Detroit News reported Tuesday.
Kilpatrick is being held in federal prison as he awaits sentencing for his March conviction on 24 charges, including racketeering conspiracy. He faces 20 years or more in prison.
In the bond request, lawyer James C. Thomas said his client was unable to spend “meaningful time” with family during the trial.
The attorney also argued Kilpatrick, who is 6-foot-4 and nearly 300 pounds, was too large and well known to be able to successfully hide.
Kilpatrick’s mother, former U.S. Rep. Carolyn Cheek, has offered her home as collateral.
U.S. District Judge Nancy Edmunds has twice denied Kilpatrick’s bond requests.
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