Known only as Dave, he nearly made it as a juror in the Kwame Kilpatrick pubic corruption trial only to get booted off in the next to last round. He contacted Fox 2 and spoke with our Charlie Langton.
Specifics about his identity as reported by some media outlets like where he lives, how many children he has, a criminal history and the name of his employer prompted Judge Nancy Edmonds to admonish the media and take extra steps to protect the identity of the future Kilpatrick jurors.
"This is really (disconcerting). We were supposed to be under conditions of anonymity. I do know that you guys have the right to the First Amendment, but you got to know when to draw the line," said Dave.
In a request by Jim Thomas, Kilpatrick's attorney, to change venue, Thomas felt some jurors were intimidated by the media. Not Dave.
Why is he talking now?
"Just to get the side of the juror out. You hear the side of the government. You hear the side of the defense, but it's always good to hear another side to the story."
Dave felt overwhelmed by the process.
"When they call your number and you walked into the room, I mean it was amazing."
So did Dave have an opinion of Kwame Kilpatrick?
"He looked nervous. Somebody walking with their hands in their pockets isn't necessarily somebody walking with confidence. Some of the facial expressions that he was making are some of the same facial expressions, you know curling his bottom lip under his top teeth, sometimes that's what I do when I'm nervous."
Dave said potential jurors only talked to each other about the four month length of the trial.
Does he want to know why he was kicked off and by whom?
"I would like to know why and who," he said. "Absolutely could've been fair. Would've been fair. Am fair. Maybe they made a mistake."
Just to make it clear, it should be known that we did not go out and solicit Dave. The reason he wanted his identity shielded is that some personal information did come out about Dave's background in court that we did not put in this story.
Latest Development in the Kilpatrick Corruption TrialMore>>
Tuesday, June 4 2013 7:57 PM EDT2013-06-04 23:57:50 GMT
Michael Grundy was once a Wayne County hot shot juggling politics and running a program to provide healthcare to poor folks, but Tuesday in federal court, he admitted to cheating those poor folks by taking kickbacks.
Michael Grundy was once a Wayne County hot shot juggling politics and running a program to provide healthcare to poor folks, but Tuesday in federal court, he admitted to cheating those poor folks by taking kickbacks.
Thursday, May 23 2013 7:38 PM EDT2013-05-23 23:38:56 GMT
Kwame Kilpatrick, now a convicted felon, officially fired his longtime attorney Jim Thomas on Thursday. It's a move that will delay the former mayor's sentencing.
Kwame Kilpatrick, now a convicted felon, officially fired his longtime attorney Jim Thomas on Thursday. It's a move that will delay the former mayor's sentencing.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 1:36 PM EDT2013-05-22 17:36:39 GMT
Innuendo, sexual advances and an overnight stay in Lansing -- a politician's former aide claims he had to endure a nightmare on the job. Now a sexual harassment lawsuit has been filed against Rep. Brian Banks.
Innuendo, sexual advances and an overnight stay in Lansing -- a politician's former aide claims he had to endure a nightmare on the job. Now a sexual harassment lawsuit has been filed against Rep. Brian Banks.
Monday, May 20 2013 8:28 PM EDT2013-05-21 00:28:46 GMT
As Bobby Ferguson faces a retrial on bid-rigging charges, he may have to represent himself. He refuses to fill out an application needed to determine if he qualifies for a court appointed lawyer.
As Bobby Ferguson faces a retrial on bid-rigging charges, he may have to represent himself. He refuses to fill out an application needed to determine if he qualifies for a court appointed lawyer.
Thursday, May 16 2013 12:15 AM EDT2013-05-16 04:15:25 GMT
State Representative Brian Banks has been in Lansing for less than five months, but some of his actions are already raising questions about his judgment.
State Representative Brian Banks has been in Lansing for less than five months, but some of his actions are already raising questions about his judgment.
Wednesday, June 12 2013 7:59 PM EDT2013-06-12 23:59:45 GMT
A jury has been seated for the trial of Tucker Cipriano. The teen and his friend are charged with beating Cipriano's father to death with a baseball bat and badly injuring his mother and brother.
A jury has been seated for the trial of Tucker Cipriano. The teen and his friend are charged with beating Cipriano's father to death with a baseball bat and badly injuring his mother and brother.
Monday, June 10 2013 6:25 PM EDT2013-06-10 22:25:21 GMT
Jury selection began on Monday in the trial of Tucker Cipriano and Mitchell Young. The judge also issued a gag order.
Jury selection began on Monday in the trial of Tucker Cipriano and Mitchell Young. The judge also issued a gag order. Cipriano and Young are accused of brutally beating Cipriano's father to death in April of 2012.
Friday, May 31 2013 5:02 PM EDT2013-05-31 21:02:47 GMT
Reaction to Pulte's decision to move its headquarters out of Michigan from some of the leaders on Mackinac Island ranged from shock to disappointment. But is there a light at the end of the tunnel?
Reaction to Pulte's decision to move its headquarters out of Michigan from some of the leaders on Mackinac Island ranged from shock to disappointment. But is there a light at the end of the tunnel?
Tuesday, June 18 2013 11:38 PM EDT2013-06-19 03:38:44 GMT
After initially defying federal regulators, Chrysler abruptly agreed Tuesday to recall some older-model Jeeps with fuel tanks that could rupture and cause fires in rear-end collisions.
After initially defying federal regulators, Chrysler abruptly agreed Tuesday to recall some older-model Jeeps with fuel tanks that could rupture and cause fires in rear-end collisions.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 11:29 PM EDT2013-06-19 03:29:11 GMT
An angry pastor is trying to keep his cool. He is mad at whoever tore apart his air conditioning unit to steal the copper, but he also says the entire community shares the blame.
An angry pastor is trying to keep his cool. He is mad at whoever tore apart his air conditioning unit to steal the copper, but he also says the entire community shares the blame.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 9:46 PM EDT2013-06-19 01:46:58 GMT
Nearly a hundred years ago, two girls from Detroit put a message in a bottle and threw it into the waters of the St. Clair River. Now that message is back on dry land after being found by a diver in 30 feet of water.
Nearly a hundred years ago, two girls from Detroit put a message in a bottle and threw it into the waters of the St. Clair River. Now that message is back on dry land after being found by a diver in 30 feet of water.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 7:26 PM EDT2013-06-18 23:26:33 GMT
The latest dig in the search for former Teamsters' boss Jimmy Hoffa will resume on Wednesday in an Oakland Township field. So far, crews have found two concrete slabs and animal bones.
The latest dig in the search for former Teamsters' boss Jimmy Hoffa will resume on Wednesday in an Oakland Township field. So far, crews have found two concrete slabs and animal bones.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 4:54 PM EDT2013-06-18 20:54:19 GMT
Who will open for Bon Jovi at Ford Field on July 18? Your vote will decide. 20 bands left in the Fox Rocks contest. Voting period: Now through July 10. Time to 'Fox Rocks' the vote.
Who will open for Bon Jovi at Ford Field on July 18? Your vote will decide. 20 bands left in the Fox Rocks contest. Voting period: Now through July 10. Time to 'Fox Rocks' the vote.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 12:20 PM EDT2013-06-18 16:20:44 GMT
Detroit Metropolitan Airport officials evacuated a section of the McNamara Terminal Tuesday morning after a canine picked up the scent of explosives on the apron, where planes load.
Detroit Metropolitan Airport officials evacuated a section of the McNamara Terminal Tuesday morning after a canine picked up the scent of explosives on the apron, where planes load.
