Critics, supporters weigh in on Monica Conyers sentencing

Detroit --Monica Conyers is vowing to fight a 37-month sentence for bribery, but at least one former City Council colleague says she should be thankful she's not going to prison longer.

Councilman Kwame Kenyatta, who tussled with Conyers on the panel, says the sentence doled out Wednesday was "too light."

"She was voted to uphold the people's trust," Kenyatta said. "I feel we are held to a higher standard as elected officials not to submit to people trying to bribe us."

Conyers pleaded guilty last year to accepting at least $6,000 in cash payments to switch her vote and support a $1.2 billion sludge-hauling contract to Synagro Technologies Inc. in 2007. The bribery conspiracy charge was punishable by up to five years, but advisory guidelines used by U.S. District Judge Avern Cohn called for 30-37 months.

That disappointed Eric Walton, a Wayne State University graduate student, who said he hoped Conyers would get the full five years.

"As a taxpayer, I want to see her get what she deserves," Walton said. "As a grown woman, she should own up to the things she has done. You did it. Now pay the piper, pay the price."

Councilman Kenneth c**krel Jr., whom Conyers infamously called "Shrek" during a 2008 council blowup, said he understands some may construe the sentence as light. He wouldn't say how he feels.

"Three years is still three years minus freedom," c**krel said. "If the goal was to send a message, I think that message was still sent."

But onetime supporters and allies of Conyers said they were saddened by the prospect that the onetime councilwoman could go to prison. She's vowing to appeal.

"I don't feel well with the sentence," said former Councilwoman Martha Reeves, who added she didn't know all the details of the evidence against Conyers.

"It hurts my heart. She is a mother and a woman.

"I like Monica. I think she was very intelligent. I think from my side of the table she served well. She was the only one on council to have a law degree."

Agnes Hitchc**k, leader of the g****roots Call 'Em Out Coalition, said she's "saddened" because Conyers had so much potential.

"She started off on the wrong foot," Hitchc**k said. "It's very sad. She could have been a great City Council person for the people."

 

@import url(http://aranet.vo.llnwd.net/o28/themes/css/araStyleReset.css); @import url(http://aranet.vo.llnwd.net/o28/themes/css/theme300x600A06H1F0L1P0000V1_3.css)